Bass season is just around the corner. Up in the Northern Minnesota, North and East of HWY 53, the bass season opens up at the same time as the general Minnesota fishing opener - May 12th, 2007.
The fish should be very active in the lower parts of Northern Minnesota, with the northern half picking up as the weeks go on. The smallies should be completing spawn, but don't be surprised if there are a few fish still sitting on beds because of the late ice we had this year. Please be kind to the spawning bass. Largemouth fishing should be great in the next few weeks during warming spells and warm days.
Good luck and be safe out there.
St. Croix River and Lower Namekagon River have some decent smallmouth action in Western Wisconsin. Kettle River and Snake rivers also has some good smallmouth fishing and I believe these flow into the St. Croix River which eventually flows in the Old Miss. Depending on where you live, the Upper Mississippi north of the Twin Cities metro area and even in the Metro area has some crazy smallmouth action. There is a special regulation section on the Upper Miss, you'll need to check the MN fishing regs, can't remember the stretch, but the regs are to promote a high quality smallmouth fisheries and it's working.
I'm sure most of the streams flowing into the st. croix and Mississippi have some populations of smallmouth and probably more in the lower sections, but it would take some exploring and sleuthing around to find spots to fish. So the lower Kinni could hold some smallies, but I'm not sure on that.
