Smallmouth fishing near merrimack river

Gonna be in Lowell area this weekend. Anywhere I can catch some smallmouth in perhaps the merrimack or anywhere in that area? Wanted to do some carp, but I hear its been slow. So a smallmouth would be nice.

the merrimack river is loaded with smallies. I catch them regularly 2-3lbs just above the Essex dam in lawrence on senko's and rat-l-traps.