Fishing the Snake River for Smallmouth Bass - Tips and information for fishing the Snake River system.
Snake River Bass Fishing - Part two:
If it works for Smallmouth Bass in general, it will work on the Snake River. Plastics are a go-to selection in various patterns (tubes, worms, lizards-any and all) at all times of the year. Crankbaits, suspending baits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, spinners, rattletraps and top-water, they all have their time and place but you can’t go wrong with a good selection of plastic fished on a leadhead, Carolina, Texas or drop-shot rigged.
In the spring of the year the river is inundated with steelhead and salmon smolt on their out-migration to the Pacific providing a tremendous food source for the smallies. During this period almost anything that resembles a small trout will produce well. Following the smolt migration the top forage will be crayfish and, to a lesser degree baitfish.
Prime time--From mid-March through the end of May would be the absolute prime period for the trophy sized fish. March and April are less influenced by runoff than the month of May. During a good water year the month of May can be almost impossible to fish. The summer months, June through mid August, are excellent for numbers of fish but we see very few of the larger specimens during this period. Water temps will range into the mid to upper 70s and the bigger fish are selective and holding in deeper water during most of the day.
The second period of good activity for the larger fish will begin in mid-August and last through September. The fish are not as heavy at this time as during the spring (pre-spawn) period but they are actively feeding and provide an excellent fishery.
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General: If I were to narrow my selection of water down to a 10 mile stretch (considering size and numbers of fish) I would choose the area around Lewiston, ID and Clarkston, WA upstream to the beginning of the free flowing river, this area produces large fish, good numbers and has less impact from runoff and fluctuations from the upriver dams. It also presents a variety of cover and overall more consistent water conditions than other sections of the river. The entire stretch from Lower Granite Dam to a little above the mouth of the Grande Ronde ( approx. 65 miles) will produce consistent catches of good fish but the area around Lewiston and Clarkston is outstanding.
I would expect to see numbers average 20 to 30 fish on an average day in this area with several larger fish (4 to 6 lbs. or better) during the pre-spawn. During the summer period it is not uncommon to have days of 100 plus fish but the larger fish are tougher to come by. Local tournaments (C&R) will show 5 fish bags averaging 17 or 18 lbs. with 20 plus lbs. not uncommon. Most tourneys are in the spring and late summer months when the larger fish are more active.
The most unique feature of this river is the versatility created by the different types of water and cover throughout its length. If you prefer fishing impounded water with miles of shoreline and a variety of habitat, the Snake has it. Free flowing water, tributary and small stream water or the spectacular depths and magic of Hell’s Canyon - it’s all found on the middle Snake - and it has a great population of smallmouth bass in any stretch of river you want to fish.
This 2 part article was written for Fun4u2do.com by Pat Long. Well known outfitter guiding in Washington on the Snake River and the Clearwater River in Idaho. Pat provides information to the fishing public through a number of informational websites as well as on his Business Website.
