Fishing Calendar Smallmouth Bass (May - Nov) Smallmouth Bass season opens the first Saturday in May on Lake Erie a full 6 weeks ahead of the rest of New York State. It's called the trophy season because your chance of catching a true 5, 6, or 7 pound smallie are great this time of year. For the rest of the season, Lake Erie is one of the country's best Smallmouth lakes - plenty of fish & plenty of action.