Smallmouth on the Sheyenne...my favorite topic. Anywhere from Lisbon on up to Baldhill Dam is money for nice bronzebacks. The bite should be on this time of year on up to Memorial Day, but watch the flow out of Baldhill Dam, it's too high now (4/24, 1500cfs). When you get back in that 300-600cfs range, things will be better.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?05058000 - Bookmark that link so you know what to expect.
When the water goes down, target rip-rap, timber, bridge pilings, creek and gully deltas and other structure. Where you can drop a canoe or small boat in, there's tons to explore, if you have that option. Use a 1/8 ounce leadhead jig with a 3" curlytail grub will catch smallies, walleyes, white bass and more. My go-to has always been orange jig with yellow tail on the river. I also use a 4" bass tube on a 3/0 hook with a 1/8 ounce bullet weight - watermelon, pumpkinseed and the occasional pearl color when things are dingy. In summer, you can turn smallies on a spinnerbait or inline as well. In areas that have fish but less snags, jerkbaits like the X-rap can be good, but know where you're throwing them!
Enjoy, it's one of my favorite places on Earth!
And if all else fails go fishing and throw the whole tackle box at em until you find the one they want.
