Bass Fishing at Paw Paw River
How to catch bass in Paw Paw Michigan
Paw Paw River runs through Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Michigan, Lake Michigan, Mottville, Constantine, Colon, and makes up Berrien Springs Dam, Buchanan Dam, Niles Dam, Sturgis Dam, and Union Lake.

Fortunately, I live in the surrounding areas and know the waters well. The anglers, I am familiar with fish at this river and have caught a wide selection of small and large bass. The residential fish include the largemouth, smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, northern pike, carp, panfish, etc. In the winter and summer months you will catch steelhead, brown trout, lake trout, Coho, Chinook salmon, and brook trout. Steelhead also flocks during late summer and spring. The river flows over more than 710 miles.

Paw Paw River is a distant warm water environment. You will find dams along the river in various areas. In the lower sections, cast your line from the shore, since wading at various intersections is stressful. Berrien Springs has a few spots around the area that provide you a boat launch channel. Otherwise, you can access the lake along dams and bridges near roadways.

Bass fishing at Paw Paw River is a common adventure, yet anglers must abide by restricted guidelines laid out by Michigan governing bodies. Limits are stipulated in Michigan’s salmon fishing guidelines. Learn more.

Paw Paw River is accessible all year. However, black bass fishing during the first day in January and the last Saturday prior to Memorial Day, you must release the bass.

Along the inland waterways of Paw Paw River, you will spot smallmouth bass, rock bass, and a few walleyes and northern pike. The bass are noticeable at mainstream. Wading areas are spotted throughout the inland waterways therefore bring your waders.

Paw Paw River spreads through Watervliet Michigan also. The head dam along the river is low, which attracts steelhead. The steelheads often swim upstream. As you move upstream, you may come upon Coloma, Michigan and continue onto the two-minute Rivers near St. Joseph River. St. Joseph River dips directly into Lake Michigan. Fly fishing takes place along these areas. Gallien River extends over to one of Michigan’s popular beaches. The beach channels over to the border of Michigan and Indiana. Here you will come across New Buffalo, which is only about one hour from Chicago. Throughout this area, brown trout and steelhead run wild.
Continue upstream you may want to cast your line near US-12, or move over to the Black River. Actually, the Black River is on the opposite side of New Buffalo, i.e. the river flows through South Haven, Michigan, which is the South Branch. South Haven River is at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, and runs into Lake Michigan. The mid-branch is where cool water fish migrate. During hot days, you may want to cast a line to catch smallmouth, largemouth, rock bass, or related fish.
Paw Paw River has a surplus of hiding spots for bass. Along the river are broken trees, fallen timber, boulders, rocky reefs, etc. Along these areas, you will likely find a selection of bass. Some areas are weedy, which bass flock in these areas as well. In clear water, you likely will find the summer-run, steelheads, etc.
The big catch is at Lake Michigan, or on the St. Joseph River. You can use boats in this area. Guidelines are set up at beach areas, so be sure to follow the rules. Michigan is notorious for cracking down on unlawful acts. Silver Beach is a popular area to catch large fish as well. To learn more about Michigan bass fishing you will need a huge book, since Michigan has the largest body of water around.
TIP: Take a trip to Cedar River where the largemouth bass swim.