The brook trout may be the state fish, and due to abundant stockings, many fishermen may think of Pennsylvania as a predominantly trout state. Still, they are missing an opportunity to catch a real trophy. The smallmouth bass, or bronze back, is found throughout the Commonwealth and offers plenty of opportunities, even through the heat of summer.

Once native to only the Ohio and Erie drainages, smallmouth bass are now found throughout the Commonwealth’s major river systems and clear, cold lakes. I recall that in the 1980s, celebrity anglers fished our various rivers and referred to them as some of the best smallmouth waters they had ever experienced. As an adult, I had the opportunity to experience many of these waters, both as an angler and a Waterways conservation officer, and witnessed this sentiment firsthand.

The key to successfully filling your creel, or if practicing catch and release, landing a day full of bronze backs, is fishing the right section of the river. Smallmouths prefer clear, cool water with moderate to strong currents. This is where you want to focus your attention. The faster-moving riffles or deep, cold pools are most likely to hold big fish during the heat of summer.

Look for areas that combine fast water, rocky conditions, and current or deep pools, all near one another. If not fishing the riffles themselves, I prefer to be below them, as this is where the cooler, more oxygenated water is located. Of course, fishing in an area with lots of scattered riffles or rapids, in almost any direction, is a possible honey hole, so I generally start below and work my way upstream.

When it comes to the time of day, consider what is most comfortable for you; it is also most comfortable for the fish. Early morning before the heat of the day, late evening after the temperature has dropped, or overnight when it is coolest are the most productive times to fish for smallmouth. These are also the times when the biggest fish are most likely to be feeding.

One of the biggest reasons summer smallmouth fishing is so enjoyable is that the fish will hit almost any lure. Crankbaits, tubes, swimbaits, spinners, and plastics are all on the menu. However, there are a few lures I always have on hand -the Ned Rig and topwaters, both poppers and frogs.

The Ned Rig is one of the all-time most successful smallmouth bass rigs available. It is deadly from shore to depths of approximately 25 feet and is still found on almost every professional angler’s boat despite the many advances in fishing lures.

Topwaters not only work well but also offer one of the most exciting ways to catch any fish. There is little that compares to the adrenaline rush you feel when a big bass smashes your water, leaps out of the water, and starts peeling line. Wow, does not even begin to describe it. Both poppers and frogs offer an enticing meal and draw fish in with erratic movement, noise, and the depiction of an easy meal.

This summer, spend the heat of the day poolside, but during the cooler hours, make sure you hit the local river for some of the best bronze backs of the season.