Searching for smallmouth bass is more than half the fun, however, the other half of catching a smallmouth is unmatchs.
Fishing is a sport full of extremes, a rollercoaster ride where anglers experience intense highs followed by long stretches of boredom. But it’s not just the fishermen who go through these ups and downs. Fish, too, experience mood swings, moving from peak feeding periods to seemingly lifeless doldrums, influenced by various environmental factors like weather, water levels, fishing pressure, and more. Understanding these changes and adapting to them is key for any angler looking to have consistent success.
Marmion Lake: A New Frontier
On today’s adventure, we’re exploring Marmion Lake in Northwest Ontario, a pristine Canadian Shield lake known for its vast networks of granite islands, rocky shoals, and shorelines lined with boulders, weeds, reeds, and fallen trees—perfect hiding spots for big smallmouth bass. With its expansive waters and varied structures, Marmion Lake offers an ideal challenge for anglers who thrive on “running and gunning,” meaning using fast-moving lures to find and catch aggressive fish. 
As we make our way across the lake, it’s all about power fishing. This technique focuses on using moving baits to trigger strikes quickly and efficiently, making it an excellent method for exploring unfamiliar waters and uncovering fish-holding areas. For those who love the thrill of fast-paced fishing, this is a perfect environment.
Targeting the Smallmouth Giants
Marmion Lake is known for growing some of the biggest fish around. While smallmouth bass are our primary target today, this region is also home to jumbo crappies, seven-pound largemouth bass, trophy muskies, massive walleye, and even giant northern pike. All of these fish make this area a dream destination for serious anglers.
Staying at Crystal Beach Resort, located in the Atikokan region, we are ready to experience the magic of Marmion Lake. Jody, the camp owner, made the life-changing decision to leave his job in the construction industry and dedicate himself to the fishing lifestyle. He fell in love with the area and wanted to help others fulfill their fishing dreams, offering them a chance to enjoy the incredible fishery that attracted him in the first place.
Exploring the North and South Ends of the Lake
Marmion Lake is divided into two main areas: the north end, which is fed by the Seine River, and the southern half, which is more popular for bass fishing. The north end tends to have less fishing pressure, making it a great spot for targeting larger fish. The waters here are darker and more tannic, but this also means the bass grow faster, reaching impressive sizes. While the south end of the lake hosts a higher density of fish, the bass are typically smaller, ranging from 3 to 5 pounds.
In contrast, the north end of the lake, often referred to as the “floodwaters,” is home to some of the biggest fish in the system. Here, you can find smallmouth bass in their prime, thanks to the lower fishing pressure and favorable conditions.
Strategy for Success
Our approach is straightforward: we focus on sampling the north end of the lake, which offers three main types of cover—standing timber, weed beds, and classic broken rock shorelines. We started with the standing timber, but despite the beauty of the area, we didn’t get any bites. Moving to weed beds full of pike and walleyes didn’t yield much either. However, once we found the broken rock shorelines in 6 to 8 feet of water, the smallmouth bass started showing up in numbers.
The key to success here lies in flexibility. Smallmouth bass in these waters are often found in current-rich areas, such as neck-downs between islands that force water flow. Additionally, they tend to focus on pelagic bait fish like tulibe, which means that while casting along the shore, the fish could be suspended behind you in deeper waters.
A Day of Big Fish and High Spirits
Throughout the day, the action has been non-stop. We’ve caught a multitude of smallmouth bass, and the fish here are known for being tough fighters—almost like they run on solar power, as they put up a strong resistance once hooked. The lake has been everything we hoped it would be and more, with fast-paced fishing and plenty of action.
Over the years, we’ve fished many tournaments in Northwest Ontario, and some of the best smallmouth fishing we’ve ever experienced has been right here. With memories of past tournaments and countless bass-filled days on the water, we’re confident this lake will be a staple in our fishing journeys for years to come.
The Thrill of Big Fish and Powerful Tactics
As we continue to explore the beauty and challenge of Marmion Lake, the action picks up pace. Fishing here is like heaven for smallmouth anglers, and it’s easy to see why. One of the most rewarding moments of the day comes when a big smallmouth grabs hold. As Dan and I continue our search, we find the perfect spot—an area with a lip in the structure that just feels right. I cast my line, and before long, a strong pull signals the start of a thrilling fight. “Big one coming up!” I exclaim as the fish breaks the surface.
What we land is a monster. It’s better than the last catch—by far. With a steady and careful fight, we finally bring the fish to the boat. At 4.25 pounds, this is the type of fish we’ve been hoping for—thick, strong, and heavy. It’s a true “money fish,” the kind that anglers dream about. We handle it gently, knowing that it’s crucial to respect these giants before releasing them back into the water. Marmion Lake’s big fish don’t come easy, but when they do, it’s worth every moment of effort.
Technology Enhances the Experience
Before even stepping foot on the water, we rely on modern technology to assist in our fishing strategy. With advanced tools from Humminbird and Minn Kota, we’re able to plan our attack and make the most of our time on the lake. One standout feature is Smart Strike, which provides us with a powerful tool to pre-fish a body of water. This system allows us to search for high-percentage fishing spots before even leaving the house. By selecting search parameters like species, region, and season, Smart Strike highlights potential areas to fish, essentially giving us a guide for the day. It’s like having insider knowledge at our fingertips.
Even more impressive is the AutoChart Live feature, which allows us to map uncharted waters in real time. When fishing on a lake that lacks detailed contours, AutoChart Live lets us create our own map of the lake’s structure, ensuring we have the most accurate data as we fish. Jody, the owner of Crystal Beach Resort, is especially excited about this technology and plans to map Marmion Lake for future tournaments. With AutoChart Live, anglers like Jody will gain a distinct advantage, knowing the lake’s structure better than anyone else.
Speed and Agility: The Key to Finding Active Fish
As we continue our pursuit of smallmouth bass, we move quickly, casting horizontal baits and covering a lot of water. One of the keys to fishing Marmion Lake efficiently is speed—especially when we’re exploring unfamiliar waters. By using moving baits, we’re able to locate the active fish and avoid wasting time on areas that aren’t producing bites. Our goal is to find the “dumb” fish—the ones that are actively feeding and eager to strike.
We use a variety of baits to speed up our search. Among my favorites is the X-Rap, an exceptional lure that has proven to be a game-changer for smallmouth bass. Whether fished slowly or quickly, the X-Rap’s action mimics a dying baitfish, making it irresistible to hungry bass. Alongside the X-Rap, we also rely on the Shadow Rap, which has a unique slow-sink action that works year-round, depending on our presentation.
Another go-to is the Terminator T1 spinnerbait, particularly effective in shallow cover. There’s something incredibly exciting about watching a smallmouth explode out of cover to crush the spinnerbait. The strike is rewarding, and the fight that follows is always a thrill. For deeper presentations, we turn to the Terminator Swim Jig, rigged with a grub, craw, or boot tail. This lure excels in a variety of depths and offers versatility that makes it a must-have in our tackle box.
The Right Tools for the Job
Having the right equipment is essential for success, especially when targeting big smallmouth bass. For this type of fishing, I always bring two baitcasting rods and two spinning rods. The baitcasting rods are perfect for aggressive baits like spinnerbaits and jerkbaits, while the spinning rods are ideal for finesse techniques like drop-shotting or grubbing. Pairing the right rods with the appropriate line—such as eight-pound test for finesse techniques—gives us the best shot at landing big fish.
The beauty of Marmion Lake isn’t just in its size or the quality of its fish—it’s in the experience it offers. Whether we’re battling big fish on the surface or exploring new techniques and lures, the adventure here is unlike any other. The rumors about Marmion Lake’s trophy smallmouths have proven true, and we’re just scratching the surface of what this incredible fishery has to offer.
As we continue our journey on Marmion Lake, we know that the next cast could bring another monster fish to the boat. And with the right techniques, tools, and a little bit of luck, we’re ready for whatever comes next.
