Crappie fishing at Smithville Lake

Spring crappie on Smithville Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Old creek channel is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 28 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Smithville Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Little Platte River inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Smithville Lake

Spring largemouth bass on Smithville Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

Channel Catfish fishing at Smithville Lake

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Little Platte River inflow, a inflow / creek mouth in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

Bluegill fishing at Smithville Lake

Start shallow in spring: bluegill sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for bluegill in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig covers the summer program.

Common Carp fishing at Smithville Lake

In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 30 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring common carp. Best bite is early morning and the evening.

How deep is Smithville Lake?

Smithville Lake is about 55 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Smithville Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp on Smithville Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Smithville Lake?

Little Platte River inflow is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Smithville Lake?

For crappie, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.