As water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, smallmouths move to the deepest zone in their home range. Smallmouths remain at these wintering sites in a semi dormant condition until water temperatures rise in the spring. Smallmouth bass eat primarily crayfish throughout their lives. When young they also eat aquatic insects zooplankton, and other aquatic invertebrates. As adults, smallmouth bass also consume juvenile and adult fish such as minnows, shiners, smelt, and other fish species.
Smallmouth bass grow to five inches in their first growing season.
Smallmouth bass over 12 years old have been caught in Lake Erie, but most are ages five and younger. Anglers fish for smallmouth on Lake Erie from April through October. Higher smallmouth bass angler catches catch rates and the large average size of fish caught prove that Lake Erie has some of the best fishing for this species in the United States. Peak fishing for these fish is in May, June, August, and September, but bass can be caught anytime between April and November in most years. Large emerald shiners and crayfish are the most popular live baits.