When discussions turn to smallmouth bass habitat, mental images abound. Some anglers might envision deep, rocky impoundments like Roosevelt or Apache lakes in central Arizona. Others might ...

A wide range of balanced sizes from 6 to 17 inches was sampled, with 38 percent in the 12-to-15-inch range. That may be the strongest ratio of large smallmouth in any Illinois stream.

Both men know how vital it is to keep smallmouth from taking over. Female smallmouth bass can produce around 30,000 eggs. They have few predators. They’re also cannibals.

Nothing. It was time. We caught and released 13 smallmouth and two white bass. Five of the smallmouth were 14 to 15 inches; the rest were 11 to 13, typical river smallmouth in Illinois.

Stalking smallmouth bass in creeks and small rivers is a top summertime angling opportunity. Trout are great. Bass are, too. Bluegills, catfish and even carp, are fun to catch. But in my opinion ...