I didn't realize that and I certainly don't condone breaking the law, but smallmouth will hit just about any bait you use for walleye, perch, white bass, or even catfish. Sheepshead and white perch love crayfish. Any of these fish can be caught in Lake Erie, especially fishing from a dock. Off the beach smallmouth will hit the same artificial lures you would use for white bass. In a boat smallmouth will hit the same lures you would use for walleye, especially in reef areas. In the waters around Pelee Island, a much greater threat to the bass fishery are the commercial fishermen. On the Eastern shore I have seen nets laid right up to the beach that extend East for miles. I have seen the bay South of Dick's Marina on the South side of the island littered with dead smallmouth that were discarded by commercial boats whose nets know no season.