Smallmouth bass fishing in Ontario.
Rocky points and reefs hold smallmouth bass on Crow Lake and Lake of the Woods. Fish them catch and release until July 1, then under the Zone 5 limit.
Smallmouth water on two lakes.
The first thing to know about smallmouth fishing here is the catch and release rule, and the second is how much good water there is.
On Crow Lake, rocky points and reefs hold smallmouth through the summer. The lake is about 43 square miles and drops to 180 feet, and much of it is essentially uncharted, so local knowledge counts.
Lake of the Woods is the second lake, reached through our separate private launch on Stevens Bay across Highway 71. Both lakes are fished from a single stay.
Smallmouth also make a good second species on a longer trip. Many guided days run muskie in the morning, walleye for shore lunch and smallmouth in the afternoon.
Catch and release until July 1.
On Crow Lake (Kakagi Lake) and Lake of the Woods, bass are catch and release only from January 1 to June 30.
January 1 to June 30
The possession limit for bass is zero on both lakes. Fish them, photograph them and release them. Handle fish with wet hands and release them quickly.
July 1 onward
The Zone 5 limit applies: 4 a day on a sport licence and 2 on a conservation licence.
Check the summary
Ontario sets these rules each year. Read the current Fishing Regulations Summary for Zone 5 before you fish.
Source: the Zone 5 section of the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, updated August 4, 2026. Our guide to Ontario fishing licences for non-residents covers the licence side.
Three ways to fish smallmouth from Muskie Bay.
Premier Guided Fishing
A guide who knows the points and reefs, plus lodging, all meals and shore lunch. Guided days are often multi-species, with smallmouth in the afternoon.
View Package · From $970 / personSemi-Guided Fishing
Your own deluxe boat with gas, guide support when you want it, all meals and portage lake access. Fish the points and reefs you choose.
View Package · From $640 / personSelf-Guided Fishing + Lodging
A deluxe 18 ft boat with GPS and spot lock, outpost lake access and lakeview lodging, for anglers who already know how they want to fish.
View Package · From $500 / personTrailering your own boat? The bring your own boat package covers lodging, meals and dock access on both lakes. Prices are per person for a 3-day package in US dollars, before 13% HST, and every option is on our rates page.
Smallmouth bass fishing, answered.
Can I keep smallmouth bass on Crow Lake or Lake of the Woods?
Not from January 1 to June 30. On both lakes bass are catch and release only in that window, which means a possession limit of zero. From July 1 the Zone 5 limit applies: 4 a day on a sport licence and 2 on a conservation licence.
Is smallmouth bass season open all year in Zone 5?
The season is open all year in Zone 5, but Crow Lake (Kakagi Lake) and Lake of the Woods carry the catch and release rule from January 1 to June 30.
When can I keep a smallmouth bass here?
From July 1 through the rest of the year, within the Zone 5 daily limit. Ontario sets the rules each year, so read the current Fishing Regulations Summary before your trip.
Where do smallmouth hold on Crow Lake?
Rocky points and reefs hold smallmouth through the summer. A guide who knows the water can save you a lot of searching, and semi-guided support gives you the same local knowledge without a guide all day.
Are the bass at Muskie Bay smallmouth or largemouth?
Our guests fish smallmouth bass. Ontario's regulations cover largemouth and smallmouth bass together, so the limits above apply to both.
Which package is best for smallmouth fishing?
Any of them. Premier guided days are often multi-species, with muskie in the morning, walleye for shore lunch and smallmouth in the afternoon. Semi-guided and self-guided give you a boat and the freedom to fish the points and reefs you choose.
Fishing for more than one species? Read our guides to walleye fishing, northern pike fishing, smallmouth bass fishing and muskie fishing, or see the water itself on our Crow Lake page.