I hate the winters up here too! Actually the state record smallmouth was caught on an inland lake nearby( Hubbard Lake) weigh 9 plus pounds https://shopkarls.com/blog/9-33-pound-smallmouth-bass-sets-michigan-record/ You know as well as I do the average smallie for the great lakes is much higher than 1-2 lbs In Tournaments if you dont have 20-25 lbs / 5 fish your way back in the pack..