Best Bass Lakes Archives - Bassmaster https://www.bassmaster.com/category/best-bass-lakes/ Pro Bass Tournament Fishing, Bass Fishing Tips & News Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:13:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bass-favicon-removebg-preview.png?w=32 Best Bass Lakes Archives - Bassmaster https://www.bassmaster.com/category/best-bass-lakes/ 32 32 206333197 Best Bass Lakes 2023: Western https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2023-western/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:08:50 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1129355
1. Clear Lake, California
[43,785 acres] After falling out of the top spot for the past two years, California’s largest natural lake is the best in the West once again. And with one of the wettest springs in history putting an end to a multiyear drought, Clear Lake will only get better as 2023 progresses. Plenty of flooded vegetation providing ideal habitat, with an abundance of baitfish keeping hungry bass well fed, makes this the place to go for that limit of a lifetime. And largemouth in the 8- to 10-pound class, which are practically common here, offer many a great opportunity to catch your personal best. In six of 11 tournaments surveyed, the winning angler had limits with bass averaging 5 or more pounds apiece. Big fish at a NewJen Bass TOC in late January, American Bass contests in March and April and a Best Bass Tournament Trail event in April tipped the scales at 10.78, 10.13, 10.86 and 11.85 pounds, respectively.
2. Lake Berryessa, California
[20,700 acres] Berryessa has historically been one of the West’s top waters, but it’s been six years since this gem made the top three. Dramatically fluctuating water levels, combined with below-average rainfall, were the likely culprits in the lake’s declining bass fishery. But thanks to improving conditions, Berryessa has reclaimed its reputation. The quality of this destination’s bass was demonstrated at an Angler’s Press Future Pro Tour event in February under tough conditions in which only 18 of 63 teams brought limits to the scales. The top team at that one weighed 30.73 pounds, including a 10.44-pound big bass.
3. Diamond Valley Lake, California
[4,500 acres] At less than 100 miles from downtown Los Angeles, you may not expect Diamond Valley to be one of the preeminent Western bass fisheries. But thanks to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s management of the lake, that’s exactly what it has become. Although the average weight of limits here has declined over the years, it remains worthy of this top position at 21.72 pounds. One of the largest was five bass weighing 27.37 that netted the win at a National Bass West Team Trail contest in March. Big fish was 7.16 pounds.
4. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California
[1,100 square miles] The California Delta’s network of winding rivers and sloughs took a small step backward this year in terms of both the average and biggest bass caught, but this largemouth fishery is still one of the best west of the Rockies. Whether you prefer targeting quality bass in weed-choked shallows, around submerged wood or along rocky banks, this place has something for everyone. It took 24.90 pounds to win an April NewJen Bass team tournament. There were nine fish over 6 pounds, including an 8.53 monster.
5. Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
[31,487 acres] Coeur d’Alene is a glacial lake with relatively cold waters, so its bass shouldn’t be expected to get big. But a diversity of habitat, including shallow areas that warm during late spring and summer, allows just enough time for its smallmouth and largemouth to grow to above-average proportions. They get so large, in fact, that this lake is consistently rated the top bass fishery in Idaho. During an April Panhandle Bass Anglers team open, the winners weighed 25.45 pounds. Three fish over 7 pounds were caught during the event.
6. Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico
[36,500 acres] Elephant Butte hasn’t made our list since 2019, but steadily improving conditions have brought it back in a big way. New Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation President Brian Stangel claims it’s one of the state’s top three fisheries. And though it can be tough catching limits here, it’s the size of the bass that put this place back on our list. The average fish at the tournaments we surveyed was 4.5 pounds. And there are trophies available, too, with 7.36- and 6.18-pounders caught during American Bass contests in March and April.
7. Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
[17,090 acres] Some consider Dworshak the smallmouth capital of the West. Why? Because the fish here get big — and they’re getting even bigger. An Idaho Fish and Game report in March attributes the improvement to growing kokanee populations made up of smaller fish, with a drop in the size of kokanee translating into more prey available to smallies. This explanation was supported last year when the state catch-and-release record was broken in May with a 23.5-inch bass, then again in December with a 23.7-inch fish.
8. Camanche Reservoir, California
[7,700 acres] Camanche has come close to making our list several times, but some true trophies put it over the top this year. There’s good smallie fishing here, but it’s the big largemouth that attract most anglers. Florida-strain fish, stocked as fingerlings, grow fast once they’re big enough to eat some of the 50,000 pounds of trout dumped into these waters annually. A 9.11 big fish at an American Bass event in March is certainly an example, but the 12.80-pounder caught by a recreational angler in April really drives the point home.
9. Lake Havasu, Arizona/California
[19,300 acres] When Havasu was created by Parker Dam, it wouldn’t have come close to making our list. Its waters were for the most part barren, and there wasn’t much of a food chain. That changed, however, in the early 1990s when resource agencies began a fisheries improvement program. Today, Havasu is at its prime with great largemouth and smallmouth fishing. It often takes limits of 3- to 4-pound bass, with at least one kicker, to win here. Of the tournaments we surveyed, 83% reported a big fish of over 6 pounds.
10. Lake Shasta, California
[30,000 acres] It takes a lot of water to fill the Golden State’s largest man-made reservoir. And as a result, it was hit hard by the most recent multiyear drought. Shasta, however, is a resilient body of water, and it’s been inching its way back toward its former status as one of the best in the West. Limits pushing 20 pounds are starting to show up at the scales again, and this year’s above-average rain and snowpack will go a long way in making them more common. In January, it took 19.05 pounds to win a shortened one-day NewJen Bass Pro-Am.
11. Moses Lake, Washington
[6,800 acres] Moses’ claim to fame is the large number of 10-pound-class walleye swimming its waters. But according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are plenty of smallies here, too, with a few big largemouth available if you know where to look. Twenty-plus-pound limits are common, with each of the contests we surveyed exceeding that mark. One of the biggest bags came during a Northwest Bass tournament that was won with 22.84 pounds. There were 10 fish over 5 pounds weighed in at that one.
12. Lower Colorado River, Arizona/California
[76 miles from Blythe to Imperial Dam] River fishing isn’t common in the West, but this scenic reach of the lower Colorado is as good as any lake or reservoir. The Imperial Dam, straddling the river at 21 miles northeast of Yuma, creates lots of fish-holding backwaters, small tule-lined lakes and twisting side channels well suited to bass. A variety of techniques will catch hefty limits here thanks to the diversity of habitat. It took 20 to 23 pounds to win American Bass events during each of the first four months of the year.
13. Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
[21,493 acres] As far as legendary bass factories go, Theodore Roosevelt Lake was one of the best for trophy fish. But double-digit largemouth and smallies over 6 pounds became rare following the introduction of gizzard shad and habitat losses. Fortunately, a habitat-enhancement project and increasing numbers of big bass have kept Roosevelt on our list. Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation President Justin Renninger says that it remains one of the top three bass destinations in his state. A 7.36-pound bass took big-fish honors at an American Bass event in March.
14. Pyramid Lake, California
[1,360 acres] This relatively small, deep reservoir is only an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, so expect lots of company when here. You’ll minimize the number of recreationalists you have to share the water with by going on a weekday. The average-size bass at Pyramid isn’t especially notable, but a good shot at a big fish makes it worth putting up with the crowds. We surveyed 11 tournaments here, and all but one was won with under 20 pounds. Big bass at 75% of them, however, was over 5 pounds, with the largest weighing 7.46 pounds.
15. Tenmile Lake, Oregon
[1,626 acres] During the early 20th century, this pair of connected coastal lakes supported excellent cold-water fisheries for cutthroat trout and steelhead. Over the years, however, farming and logging contributed to high siltation rates, transforming Tenmile into a shallow, warm-water haven for largemouth. Today, its many arms, inlets and bays, with an abundance of vegetation and structure, provide ideal conditions for Oregon’s premier bass fishery. At an Umpqua Valley Bassmasters event in April, it took 22.74 pounds to win here.
16. Lake Mohave, Nevada/Arizona
[26,500 acres] The banks lining Mohave’s upper riverine and wider lower reaches are steep, with little aquatic vegetation for those preferring to fish cover. But this rocky Colorado River impoundment, with loads of quality bass, is ideal for targeting structure. Kenneth Cleveland, California B.A.S.S. Nation president, says Mohave is one of his picks for the West’s Top 5 fisheries. Our data ranks it slightly lower. The average bass in the nine events we surveyed was about 4 pounds, while they all had big fish in the 5- to 6-pound class.
17. Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
[108,335 acres] The West’s drought has hit Powell hard, with water levels at historic lows heading into the current year. And although the lake should rise 50 feet with an exceptional snowpack, it won’t exceed 40% of its capacity. While the system’s water crisis will continue, the newly flooded habitat should improve the fishing. Powell is a numbers lake, with the 50-plus bass days that it’s known for not expected to change. The average bass caught by the winners at 10 events this year was only 2.98 pounds. But all reported lots of action.
18. Potholes Reservoir, Washington
[27,800 acres] The Bureau of Reclamation controls the water in Potholes, and it began its 2023 irrigation releases in early March. The resulting rapid changes in reservoir elevation, that occur without warning, usually make fishing tough. But the low water benefits bass by allowing willow and other vegetation to grow, creating great largemouth habitat. There is also lots of rocky smallmouth structure to the east and south. It took 19.12 to win the Columbia Basin Bass Club’s John Lawson Memorial team event in March.
19. Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona
[158,080 acres] Mead is the nation’s largest reservoir, and the Colorado River Basin lake has suffered greatly from the recent mega-drought. Though the fishing has held up during the historic low-water levels, this year’s record rains and snowpack will go a long way in improving conditions. The Bureau of Reclamation now predicts that Mead will rise 33 feet more than it first thought, which should keep the largemouth and smallies biting. The winners of a February Ultimate Bass Team Tour tournament proved that with their 6.31 big fish.
20. Lake Washington, Washington
[21,934 acres] Smack-dab in the middle of the Seattle metropolitan area, it’s hard to envision the state’s second-largest natural lake as a bass fishing mecca. And historically it wasn’t, with sockeye salmon dominant through the late 1980s. But urban sprawl, changes in water quality and prey, and the introduction of exotic plants and fish combined to create one of Washington’s best bass fisheries, with smallmouth outnumbering largemouth. The top team at the Washington Bass Club’s Mike Albertson Open won with 19.14 — all smallies.
21. Brownlee Reservoir, Idaho/Oregon
[15,000 acres] Some feel that the largest and most upstream reservoir created by the Snake River’s three-dam Hells Canyon Complex offers the Pacific Northwest’s best bass fishing. But water releases here are a key part of averting flooding out Portland, and the dropping waters can make the fishing challenging. Once things stabilize, however, the smallmouth at Brownlee are hard to beat. There’s good largemouth fishing, too. The champs at a tough March Snake River Bassmasters contest with only 14 limits had 18.23 pounds of smallies.
22. Sand Hollow Reservoir, Utah
[1,300 acres] The state park here is the most visited in Utah, and you can bet that lots of those visitors are anglers chasing the reservoir’s big largemouth. Craig Walker, the Utah Division of Wildlife’s assistant chief of fisheries, says Sand Hollow is one of the state’s top bass waters. And it’s both a numbers and trophy producer. Special regulations allow six bass creels, with only one over 12 inches. Ten- to 30-fish days, with one over 5 pounds, are routine. The winners at the events we surveyed had fish averaging almost 3 pounds, with the biggest going 5.84.
23. Lake Walcott, Idaho
[107,240 acres] At the edge of Idaho’s high desert, within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, this Snake River reservoir isn’t talked about much. And although it has both largemouth and smallmouth, it’s the big smallies that helped it make our list this year. Time your trip right and you’ll likely hook into a couple dozen bass averaging 3 1/2 pounds, with a good shot at one in the 5- to 6-pound class. The champions at a Mini Cassia Bassers event held in April weighed five fish totaling 18.68 pounds. Big bass at that one tipped the scales at 5.10.
24. Lake Pleasant, Arizona
[12,040 acres] This was once one of the best largemouth lakes in Arizona. But due to the introduction of striped bass in the late 1990s, which have ruined the threadfin shad population, the black bass fishing has declined. Efforts by Arizona Game and Fish to put more focus on catching stripers have been improving the largemouth fishing over the past several years. Although the average size is still nothing to speak of, they’re seeing more trophies. The biggest bass at a Midweek Bass Anglers team tournament in January was 6.85 pounds.
25. Siltcoos Lake, Oregon
[3,164 acres] Western coastal lakes in the northern portion of the country are typically not well suited to growing bass. But Siltcoos, although on the colder side, is an exception thanks to its nutrient-rich water in which aquatic vegetation thrives. Add an abundance of submerged trees and dropoffs, and the lake’s largemouth thrive. You won’t find many trophies here, but for a steady diet of 3- to 4-pound fish, this is the place to be. While big bass at an April Umpqua Valley Bassmasters event was only 4.83, the winners weighed in an 18.10-pound limit.
]]> 1129355 Best Bass Lakes 2023: Southeastern https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2023-southeastern/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:08:38 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1129324
1. Lake Murray, South Carolina
[50,000 acres] There is a new king of the Palmetto State, and this fishery should be No. 1 on your bucket list for angling the southeast portion of our great nation. We saw hints last year when every tournament we researched took a little more than 20 pounds to win. This year, however, 20 pounds will do little for your goal to reach the gold-medal podium. This lake is called the Jewel of the South, and rightly so, as it currently wears the crown in this region. Just look at the results of the April Elite Series event held here. There were 49 limits weighed in over 20 pounds. Of the 103 anglers competing, only a handful didn’t catch a limit every day. Six limits topped the 24-pound mark, and three limits were over 26 pounds! The average weight of bass weighed in for the entire event (1,311 fish) was 3.4 pounds. Big bass of the event was 7-11. This fishery is beautiful, full of fish and has some giants swimming around to boot. Many Elite Series anglers believe it is the best lake in the country right now, and they are not too far off.
2. Fellsmere Reservoir/Stick Marsh/Kenansville Lake, Florida
[10,000 acres; 6,500 acres; and 2,500 acres, respectively] These Sunshine State triplets were the best the Southeast had to offer last year, and you could argue the fact again this year. Now, pressure is affecting the numbers of bass an angler can expect to catch when they visit, but the giants still swim here. Looking at Florida’s TrophyCatch data (which awards anglers who catch a largemouth over 8 pounds), 73 were reported from Fellsmere (also called Headwaters), with an 11-8 being the biggest. That’s the most of any lake in Florida. Two came from Stick Marsh, including a 9-6. So you know, there is currently a drawdown on Stick Marsh for a habitat-enhancement project, so the fishery is kayak-only until the water levels rise. Kenansville boasted seven TrophyCatch lunkers, with a monster 13-10 leading the pack!
3. Orange Lake, Florida
[12,550 acres] If you were to guess where the biggest bass was caught in the state of Florida this year, you’d be wrong. Unless, of course, you guessed this fishery. Yep, we were shocked, as well. A 14-1 was landed here in April by Chad Dorland. Plus, three 13s were caught here in February. In all, 50 TrophyCatch lunkers, 17 of which were over 10 pounds, were landed here in the past 12 months. The numbers of 8-pound fish don’t hold a candle to Fellsmere, but the number of truly giant fish swimming in this lake is unrivaled. Oh, and an Xtreme Bass Series event was held here in February and was won with 28.87 pounds, anchored by a 12.59 big fish.
4. Lake Okeechobee, Florida
[730 square miles] Last year, we announced that the Big O was back. This goliath of a fishery was finally on the mend and nearly cracked the Top 10 in these rankings. Well, we just thought it was good last year. The Roland Martin Marine Center Series held an event there this past May. It was not only epic, but perhaps even historic. Weighing in 29 pounds on this day wouldn’t crack the Top 25! The top 20 anglers weighed in over 30 pounds. Not kidding. The winning weight was 36.82, which barely edged out the second-place finishers’ 36.19. This, of course, is not normal. It was a once-in-a-lifetime perfect storm. Still, it showed what is currently swimming in this lake, and you’d be smart to hit it while it’s hot.
5. Lake Guntersville, Alabama
[69,000 acres] The rise of the Big G continues! Although the lake continues to see monumental pressure, it is standing strong, and data shows improvement over last year. For example, an Alabama Bass Trail team derby this past March saw 22 limits top 20 pounds, with the winning team bringing 29.55 to the scales. A Fishers Of Men event held in April was won with 28.16. And a SALT Invitational held in May took 28.18 to win, with the Top 5 teams weighing in more than 25 pounds. So, yes, Guntersville is baaaaack!
6. Jordan Lake, North Carolina
[14,000 acres] This jewel of the Tar Heel State continues to impress. A Piedmont Bass Qualifier held here in February took almost 31 pounds to claim the top spot, with a 29-pound limit nipping at its heels. Although this was a standout event on this pristine fishery, a CATT Team trail event in March was won with 23.91 pounds, with the Top 5 all landing more than 20 pounds. Between the two events, seven fish topping 7 pounds were weighed, with the biggest pushing the scales to 8.26 pounds.
7. Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida
[22,700 acres] This lake remains the crown jewel of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Take a quick glimpse at the Florida TrophyCatch lunkers caught here in the past year and you’ll find 19 entries, with an 11-13 currently wearing the crown. Although data doesn’t suggest that Toho is in its prime, there was an Xtreme Bass Series event held here in May that was won with a limit just shy of 31 pounds. Most other events are being won with limits in the 22-pound range.
8. Lake Sinclair, Georgia
[13,380 acres] Welcome back! It has been a minute since this central Georgia fishery has made the rankings. But, when a 27-pound limit is caught, we pay attention. This is exactly what happened during a Berry’s Tournament Trail event held here in April. It wasn’t a fluke, either, as 26.14 took second place. Big fish was an 8.34-pound stud. A mid-April Fishers of Men event here took 24 pounds to win. This lake was created in 1953 with the damming of the Oconee River, and 70 years later it seems to have hit its stride.
9. Lake Eufaula, Alabama/Georgia
[37,500 acres] Also known as Walter F. George Lake, this Chattahoochee River impoundment easily slides into the Top 25 lakes in the Southeast. First off, the fishing is very good right now. The Bassmaster Open held here in March was won with a two-day total of 48-9, which included a 25-6 limit on Day 1. That was overshadowed by a 27-6 limit landed on Day 2! And to add icing on this already delicious largemouth cake, if you head north up the river, you will find a world-class shoal bass fishery. The river (near Columbus) gave up a new state record last year when Joseph McWhorter landed an 8-pound, 5-ounce shoalie, shattering a 45-year-old record.
10. Falls Lake, North Carolina
[12,410 acres] This Neuse River fishery is always touted as one of the best in the state by the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Results from a Five Alive team event held in May support their claims. First place was captured with 24.52 pounds, which included the big fish of the event (8.16 pounds). Largemouth have to be 14 inches to keep, and there are hordes of them under … so getting bit is not a problem. Beyond the exceptional bass fishing, know that this lake is very easy on the eyes and worth a visit to absorb the scenery.
11. Lake Seminole, Georgia/Florida
[37,500 acres] This old girl can be finicky, but when she decides to fire, the results are exceptional. In the February Elite event held here, Joey Cifuentes III won with a four-day total of 85-2, which included a Day 2 limit of 26-1. Tyler Rivet found five bass on Day 3 that went 25-11, and Greg Hackney brought 24-7 to the scales on the second day. Still, the best in the biz had to average only 16 pounds per day to make the Top 10. So, head to this lake knowing you could catch the five biggest of your life, but the Seminole winds need to blow a little luck your way.
12. High Rock Lake, North Carolina
[15,180 acres] If you want to get bit, cast here. That should be the mantra for this North Carolina fishery. Looking at the results from tournaments this past year, seldom do you find a competitor who did not fill his limit. Now, those limits may hover in the 15-pound range, but who can complain about an abundance of 3-pounders? There are exceptions: A March Fishers of Men event was won with 27.84 pounds, including a 9.89 big fish. Usually, fishing here looks more like an April Carolina Bass Challenge event that was won with 20 pounds; 34 teams weighed over 15 pounds. A 6.83 took big-fish honors, which was nothing to shake a flippin’ stick at.
13. Lake Placid, Florida
[3,320 acres] This small, spring-fed lake just a few miles southwest of Lake Istokpoga is not your normal Florida fishery. The average depth here is 27 feet, with the deepest hole reaching 57 feet deep. A recent BFL event here took 23 pounds to win, with the Top 10 all catching more than 18 pounds. However, take a quick look at data from Florida’s TrophyCatch program and you can see how impressive this fishery truly is. In the past 12 months, 43 bass over 8 pounds have been caught here, with a 12-1 leading that race.
14. Roanoke Rapids Lake, North Carolina
[4,600 acres] This little lake continues to produce not only big limits of largemouth, but giant individual fish, as well. Looking at some CATT events, it seems to take an average of 23 pounds to win here. That was the case in March when 23.30 won, including an 8.56 big bass (an 8.10 was also weighed in). A late March derby took 24.78 to win, which did not include the 6.74 tournament big bass. And an April derby required almost 21 pounds to take home the trophy. Since the lake is fairly small, you should be able to dial in a pattern quickly.
15. Pickwick Lake, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee
[43,100 acres] This lake borders three states and is one of the best fisheries in the country for the three major species of bass. Kind of makes sense. The smallmouth here get very big. You can catch one over 6 pounds if you fish long enough. The largemouth that top 10 pounds get caught just about as often. You may not find a spotted bass over 5 pounds here, but it will be knocking on the door. As for eye-popping tournament limits, three passed the 24-pound mark at a National Professional Fishing League event held here in March. I guess good things do come in threes!
16. Lake Panasoffkee, Florida
[4,460 acres] Another newbie to the rankings, this Fish Management Area lake grabbed our attention when we noticed that 37 TrophyCatch lunkers, 12 of which were over 10 pounds, were caught here. The biggest registered in the past 12 months was a 12-14! There’s not a lot of tournament data out there on this fishery, but an Xtreme Bass Series event held in June 2022 took 25.40 pounds to win, with the Top 5 teams weighing in more than 20 pounds. An 8.20 took big-bass honors.
17. Santee Cooper Lakes (Marion/Moultrie), South Carolina
[110,000 acres and 60,0000 acres, respectively] We learned a lot about these sister lakes this year while watching the Elite Series event held here in April. First, it’s not always easy to get a limit. The majority of the field did not catch five bass each day they fished, including second-place finisher Mark Menendez. That said, Luke Palmer won with almost 97 pounds, and there were four limits weighed in that topped 26 pounds! So, this year, don’t go to Santee for a lot of bites. But, when you get one, hang on!
18. Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
[27,700 acres] For a lake known for producing the world-record smallmouth, largemouth seem to have taken center stage here. The Dale Hollow Bass Club Classic was won with almost 25 pounds, and every fish in the limit was green. Smallmouth still grow big in these waters but are a little tougher to find these days. Spotted bass are also here, which makes this lake one of the best in the nation to offer anglers a lunker opportunity for all three species of bass.
19. Lake Hartwell, South Carolina
[56,000 acres] This is a big freaking lake … and it is simply full of fish. Now, don’t visit looking for a “personal best,” unless that PB is less than 6 pounds. However, if you enjoy catching 4-pound-class bass all day long, this briar patch is for you. A great example is a B.A.S.S. Nation team event held here in March. All 17 teams caught their limits. Ten fish nearing 5 pounds were individually weighed for lunker rights, with a 6.57 taking the honors.
20. Lake Lanier, Georgia
[38,000 acres] This may be the best spotted bass lake in the country. It took over 20 pounds to win a Fishers of Men event here in March, with a 5.59 bass taking big-fish honors. Three other spots in that derby topped the 4-pound mark. Look back to a January derby held by this group, and it took even more to claim the top spot, 22.48 pounds. When you tussle with a 5-pound spotted bass, you never want to quit looking for 5-pound spotted bass. And this lake, to that end, is your huckleberry.
21. Lake Istokpoga, Florida
[26,762 acres] The Xtreme Bass Series has held four events this year on this storied Florida fishery as of this writing, and the data from these derbies show a bit of a decline in what we have come to expect. Still, a good (not great) Istokpoga is better than a lot of fisheries in the nation. If you take the average winning weight of these events, you are looking at just over 20 pounds to collect the first-place check. Plus, 30 bass from here earned Florida TrophyCatch status in the past 12 months, with a 10-12 leading the pack.
22. Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi
[33,000 acres] When most people consider bass fishing in the Magnolia State, this is the lake they think of — and for good reason. A Weekend Warrior Bass Club event held here in March took 24.28 pounds to win. Runner-up had over 23 pounds. Big bass tipped the scales at 8.95 pounds! And remember, these aren’t pros piling up this kind of weight. Of course, most events, like the Catch-A-Dream Foundation Bass Classic held in May, are won with around 18 pounds. Still, who is going to complain about a 3 1/2-pound average?
23. Withlacoochee River/Lake Rousseau, Florida
[20-mile radius of Dunnellon] This west-central Florida bass haven flies under the radar, but 57 bass over 8 pounds have been registered from here this year, with a 13-14 topping the list. The lake covers 3,657 acres, and the river stretches a total of 157 miles. A February Xtreme Bass Series event was won here with 24.03, but it typically takes a little over 20 pounds to earn the top spot. Still, fishing the river takes you back to old Florida, and don’t be surprised if a manatee slides by your boat while you are flipping the grass.
24. Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee
[36,240 acres] This storied fishery almost did not make the cut. If you look at winning weights, though, it’s hard to ignore that The Chick still has a world-class stock of giant bass swimming around. The suckers simply don’t like to bite as often as they used to. Regardless, it took 24-1 to win an event here in February, but the winner caught only five fish all day. The two-day Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship was held here in March, and the winner measured 180 inches of bass (18-inch average) for the win. That equates to a 3 1/2-pound average, which is still very good.
25. Natchez State Park Lakes, Tennessee
[825 acres, combined] For those who love to bank fish or tote a kayak or canoe to the water’s edge, this one’s for you. Four lakes are nestled within the confines of this state park: Cub Lake (58 acres), Pin Oak Lake (680 acres), Maple Creek Lake (90 acres) and Brown’s Creek Lake (167 acres). Interestingly, two are managed by the park and two are managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). According to the TWRA, some of the best bass fishing in the state can be found here if you are willing to go without a combustible engine. Brown’s Creek Lake does have a slot limit and is managed for trophies, with double-digit bass landed on occasion.
]]> 1129324 Best Bass Lakes 2023: Northeastern https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2023-northeastern/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:08:32 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1129145
1. St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York
[50-mile stretch, plus eastern Lake Ontario] A Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in July 2022 demonstrated that this could be the best smallmouth fishery to ever exist. Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat won the four-day event with 102 pounds, 9 ounces. He is the first angler in B.A.S.S. history to win with over 100 pounds of solely smallmouth. His catch was just the tip of the iceberg. Canada’s Cory Johnston finished second with 100-5. The Top 5 anglers all weighed in more than 98 pounds of brown bass. Of the 90 anglers in the event, 55 of them averaged more than 20 pounds per day. The big bass weighed 6-12. In a word, astounding.
2. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
[430 square miles] Despite the intense fishing pressure Lake St. Clair receives, it reigns supreme for yielding smallmouth bass in quantity and quality. An annual study by Tom Goniea, tournament specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, compiled the results of 83 tournaments here. Of the 6,582 bass caught, 1,040 weighed over 4 pounds. Only one bass exceeded 6 pounds. The average fish weighed 3.18 pounds. Over 90% were smallmouth. Heavy limits are commonplace, such as the 27-13 winning catch during a high school tournament in July 2022 that drew 21 teams. The top three teams had over 20 pounds. The following month it took 24-3 to win a 44-team collegiate tournament. The top 12 all had over 20 pounds.
3. Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York
[30-mile radius from Buffalo] Lake Erie’s eastern basin continues to thrill smallmouth anglers with trophy bass and plenty of action. New York B.A.S.S. Nation President David Repman claims you can expect to catch 30 to 50 smallmouth a day and that 15% of them will weigh over 4 pounds. He mentioned that a big bass event held here in May 2023 produced several smallmouth over 6 pounds. “If you want a 7-pound smallmouth, come here from mid-September to mid-October,” Repman said. “That’s when the big mommas move shallow.”
4. Burt/Mullett lakes, Michigan
[17,120 acres and 16,630 acres respectively] Of the Wolverine State’s many spectacular fisheries, Burt/Mullett is the place to go if you dream of catching a trophy smallmouth. A study by Michigan fisheries biologist Thomas Goniea reveals that the average bass in 12 tournaments here weighed 3.8 pounds. Each derby drew nearly 40 anglers who caught 92.2% smallmouth. Of the 745 bass registered, 244 topped 4 pounds. The average big bass weighed 5.6 pounds. Five of those bruisers exceeded 6 pounds, including one over 7.
5. Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
[490 square miles] This vast, picturesque lake hosts several tournaments every year due to its fabulous bass fishing. You can do everything from froggin’ shallow grass for largemouth to finesse fishing deep, rocky structure for smallmouth. It typically takes 20 pounds or more to win a one-day derby. A New York B.A.S.S. Nation event here in June 2022 was typical. It took 19.26 to best the 66 competitors, with the top eight weighing in over 18 pounds. The big bass weighed 4.79.
6. Lake Erie, Ohio
[30-mile radius of Sandusky] Lake Erie’s western basin features copious islands, reefs and rockpiles that attract chunky smallmouth bass. The Canadian side of the lake generally produces greater numbers of them, but heavy brown bass may be caught in Ohio and Michigan waters, as well. A tournament in Ohio waters in April 2022 substantiates this fact. It took 25.96 to win the event, which drew 22 teams. The top eight teams weighed in over 20 pounds. Bear in mind that the largemouth population is increasing in grassy areas near the southern shore.
7. Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan
[32 miles long, 10 miles wide] Massive Grand Traverse Bay near the tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula grows paunchy smallmouth bass in its spectacularly clear water. Seven tournaments that averaged 39 anglers per event registered their results with the Michigan DNR. Of the 471 bass they brought to the scale, 56 weighed over 4 pounds. The average smallmouth weighed 3.3 pounds. The average big bass went 5.6 pounds, with the heaviest of these at 6.04.
8. Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
[17,200 acres] Trout, salmon and smallmouth bass thrive in the pristine waters of Michigan’s third-largest inland lake. A study by Michigan’s DNR shows that Charlevoix received more bass fishing pressure in 2022 than in 2021 but yielded better results. Nine tournaments that drew an average of 65 anglers weighed 1,351 bass, 97.5% of which were smallmouth. The mean weight was 3.1 pounds, with 343 bass eclipsing 4 pounds. The average big bass weighed a stunning 6 pounds, with the largest going 6.75.
9. Bays de Noc, Michigan
[Escanaba to Little Summer Island] The few bass fanatics who venture to Bays de Noc in Michigan’s upper peninsula are rewarded with relatively untapped smallmouth fishing. The vast majority of anglers who fish these waters target walleye. A study by Michigan’s DNR shows that six tournaments here in 2022 treated the fishermen to bass that averaged 3.1 pounds. The 15 or so competitors in each event caught 99.5% smallmouth. Forty-six of the 484 bass surpassed 4 pounds. The average big bass weighed 5.5 pounds, with the heaviest of the season going 6.75.
10. China Lake, Maine
[3,845 acres] “China is the best bass lake in Maine and the most fun one to fish,” said Maine’s Tyler Williams, who won three tournaments here in 2022. He is fishing the Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers Division in 2023. “You can go anywhere on the lake and catch them,” Williams continued. “It usually takes a 5-pound average to win here, even with a seven-bass limit.” Offshore rockpiles, docks and shallow cabbage grass all produce good fish, Williams pointed out. The lake has plenty of smallmouth, but they rarely win tournaments, he added.
11. Cayuga Lake, New York
[38 miles long, 3 1/2 miles wide] This deep, glacial Finger Lake consistently produces good fishing for hefty largemouth and smallmouth. Both species win tournaments here. The brown bass generally hold deeper than the largemouth, with the exception of the spawning phase. Although Cayuga regularly gives up limits of more than 20 pounds, 18.85 won a sizable event here in mid-July 2022. The top three anglers all had over 18 pounds, and the big bass was a 5.64 largemouth.
12. Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania
[5.8 square miles in the bay, plus 77 miles of Lake Erie’s central basin shoreline] Electrofishing results show that Presque Isle Bay is one of Pennsylvania’s best largemouth fisheries. However, smallmouth are the big attraction here in springtime when they swarm into the bay from Lake Erie to spawn. A tournament limited to the bay in April 2022 produced limits of more than 20 pounds for the top two teams. But, only nine teams weighed in bass. After the smallmouth spawn, fishing offshore on Lake Erie yields more consistent catches of heavy brown bass.
13. Great Pond, Maine
[8,533 acres] Maine bass fanatic Tyler Williams, who is fishing the 2023 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers Division, stated that smallmouth are more abundant in Great Pond but that it takes one or two kicker largemouth to win tournaments here. A heavy limit of smallmouth will run 17 to 19 pounds. One or two largemouth typically boosts the weight to 22. A limit of largemouth, which is rare, could weigh 28 pounds. “The bass feed on alewives and chase bait over flats and deep water,” Williams said. “It’s a lot like fishing topwater baits for spotted bass at Lake Hartwell.”
14. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
[5,420 acres] Despite relentless fishing pressure, Candlewood proves that small lakes can grow and sustain an abundance of quality bass. Smallmouth have long dominated tournaments here, but the largemouth are coming to the scales in greater numbers. A Reynolds’ Boats team tournament in April 2023 drew 70 teams. It took 28.85 (a 6-pound average) to win the six-bass-limit event, with the top 17 teams weighing in more than 20 pounds. The heaviest smallmouth went 6.35. The biggest largemouth weighed 6.80.
15. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
[20,600 acres] Because Smith Mountain lies at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, casting into this picture-perfect lake would be enjoyable even if you didn’t catch anything. That’s not likely due to the lake’s population of quality largemouth and smallmouth. A tournament with 105 contestants in April 2022 was true to form. It took 19-6 to win, and the Top 10 anglers had over 16 pounds. A big-bass derby that same month yielded five bass that weighed from 6.75 to 7.57 pounds. An 8.62-pound bass won another such event in late September.
16. Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
[5,543 acres] The lake’s many coves, jetties, islands and docks can make it challenging to find the bass here, but it’s worth the effort. “It typically takes a 4-pound average to win at Cobbossee,” said Tyler Williams, one of Maine’s most accomplished tournament anglers. A two-day Maine B.A.S.S. Nation Fish-Off in September 2022 yielded a winning catch of 39.61 pounds. The Top 5 teams sacked over 30 pounds. The lunker largemouth weighed 6.97; the biggest smallmouth weighed 3.11. Williams pointed out that this annual event always seems to coincide with the fall turnover, which makes for tougher fishing.
17. Oneida Lake, New York
[79.8 square miles] Oneida will again yield excellent bass fishing, as it has done consistently year after year. Tournament limits are commonplace and the weights are tight. Most of the bass are smallmouth, but largemouth occasionally win derbies here. A New York B.A.S.S. Nation event in July 2022 delivered typical results. The winner bested 68 anglers with 18.54. Eleven limits topped 17 pounds, with the big bass going 4.98.
18. Potomac River, Maryland/Virginia/Washington, D.C.
[405 miles] You can literally catch bass from the banks of Washington, D.C., while fishing this historic tidal river. The diversity of man-made and natural habitat, including lush aquatic vegetation, keeps anglers flush with bass. A tournament with 115 anglers in May 2022 produced typical results. It took 18-2 to win, and the top nine anglers had over 16 pounds. Big bass weighed 5-2. A month earlier, a 7-9 largemouth claimed big bass.
19. Saginaw Bay, Michigan
[1,143 square miles] This colossal, open bay juts into Michigan’s eastern shoreline. While it can give up heavy limits of smallmouth, most anglers venture here to target aquatic vegetation for the abundant largemouth. Twenty-eight tournaments that drew roughly 33 anglers each weighed 2,671 bass, with 241 of them over 4 pounds. Largemouth made up 82% of the catch. The average bass weighed 2.6 pounds, while the average big bass was 4.6. The biggest bass in all of these events weighed 6.8.
20. Green River Lake, Kentucky
[8,200 acres] This pretty, serpentine lake lies in the rolling terrain of Kentucky’s Highland Rim. Kentucky fisheries biologist Eric Cummins reports that it has been one of the state’s most consistent bass fisheries for the past decade. Justin Tucker, a technician for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, competes in tournaments here and elsewhere in the state. He claimed that it typically takes over 20 pounds to win weekend derbies here and a largemouth over 6 pounds to claim the big-bass pot.
21. Chautauqua Lake, New York
[13,156 acres] Excellent fishing for smallmouth and largemouth continues at Chautauqua, the largest lake in western New York. A two-day, 44-team championship tournament here in September 2022 demonstrated what this lake is capable of. Although September is generally a slow fishing month, the winning team boated 25.81 the first day and finished with 39.13. The top six teams all boated over 31 pounds. A 6.10 largemouth took big-bass honors.
22. Barren River Lake, Kentucky
[10,100 acres] Another of Kentucky’s scenic, winding reservoirs, Barren vies with Green River for the state’s top bass fishery. It lies in an area known as the Barrens, where Native Americans burned the forests to attract buffalo and other game. In early May 2022, a Fishers of Men tournament that drew 28 teams took place here. The winning team sacked 18.68 pounds, second place was 17.31 and the top six teams weighed in over 14 pounds. The biggest bass weighed 5.46.
23. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
[20 miles long, 9 miles wide] Many islands, offshore reefs and shallow bays give bass anglers who visit Winnipesaukee a rich and varied playing field. As with any lake, success depends on timing and conditions. A B.A.S.S. Nation team event in early May 2023 was won with 13.72 pounds. In early October 2022, a two-day team event was won with 35.15. Later that month, two of the 11 Merrimack Valley Bassmasters teams participating in a tournament here sacked over 20 pounds, with three other teams weighing over 17. The biggest bass from all three events included a 6.48 largemouth and a 4.05 smallmouth.
24. Upper Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
[The entire bay is more than 64,000 square miles, but the best fishing is in the top one-third] This tidal fishery produces solid limits of largemouth, but you need to be on your game to make that happen. A tournament with 136 anglers in May 2022 was won with 21-5, and the top six all weighed over 18 pounds. Fifteen bass weighing 39-12 won a Bassmaster Open in September 2022. The top eight anglers had over 30 pounds, but 17 anglers failed to catch a bass in two days of fishing.
25. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
[65,530 acres] Tourists flock to this large, scenic impoundment in the hills of southern Kentucky, which is known as the Houseboat Capital of the World. Bass anglers come here to tangle with largemouth and smallmouth bass. Kentucky fisheries biologist Marcy Anderson stated that spotted bass have also come on strong over the past few years. A large tournament here in late May 2022 was won with 16-6, with the top six anglers catching over 13 pounds. This event represents a good indication of what anglers can expect at Cumberland.
]]> 1129145 Best Bass Lakes 2023: Central https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2023-central/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:08:26 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1129102
1. O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas
[20,000 acres] For the second consecutive year, O.H. Ivie is an easy choice as the best bass lake in the Central Region, and for the first time ever, the easy choice for best lake in the nation. And, oh my, why not? As of late April, a total of 38 of the 214 bass entered in this year’s Toyota ShareLunker program, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, were caught in this gem of a fishery. An amazing 15 of those 38 bass were Legacy Class, meaning they weighed more than 13 pounds and were caught during the spawning period of January through March. The biggest of the bunch was a 17.03-pound behemoth hooked by Jason Conn of Anna, Texas, on Feb. 13 — a Top 10 catch in state history. Another 14 Elite Class bass (at least 10 pounds) were among the heaviest catches on Ivie in early 2023. Ivie crashed the national spotlight in 2022 when 11 Legacy Class bass were caught through early May. Amazingly, the lake has only gotten better in 2023.
2. Toledo Bend Reservoir, Louisiana/Texas border
[185,000 acres] The Bend is back! Not that it ever left, really, but boy, did it sure feel like a revival when Ben Milliken caught 77-14 over the course of three days to win the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend in mid-April. It was the third-heaviest total in a three-day Open tournament in B.A.S.S. history and as impressive a victory as witnessed in recent years. Milliken’s average weight, just shy of 26 pounds a day, was a hammering reminder that not only is Toledo Bend one of the biggest bass lakes in the country, but also one of its most productive. And it wasn’t just the Texas pro catching ’em. A total of 5,053 pounds, 6 ounces was caught over the course of three days in the boater division. That’s one of the highest totals in recent memory, though it trails the three-day record caught at (you guessed it) Toledo Bend, when boaters caught 6,275-4 over three days back in 2002.
3. Lake Fork, Texas
[27,690 acres] Fork continues to serve up tremendous treats for big-bass anglers. The reservoir, which is just a few dozen miles east of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, is responsible for 14 ShareLunkers through April 2023, with five Elite Class bass of over 10 pounds among them. The largest to date this year is the 12.04 caught by Mitchell Jeffries of Lee’s Summit, Mo., in January.
4. Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas
[19,800 acres] Don’t sleep on this pearl just east of Fort Worth, which provided nine ShareLunkers through the first four months of 2023. Four of those were Elite Class bass, weighing more than 10 pounds, and another was a Legacy catch — the 13.14-pound whopper boated by Tony Lozipone back in March. B.A.S.S. has taken notice, too, hosting a stop on the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Possum Kingdom powered by TourneyX in June.
5. Caney Creek Reservoir, Louisiana
[5,000 acres] This little lake in north Louisiana has made a big splash in recent years, and 2023 might be its biggest yet. The Bossier Parish high school team of Mason McCormick (Byrd High School in Shreveport) and Alexis Virgillito (Parkway High School in Bossier City) caught a one-day stringer in March weighing 37.13 — a five-bass total that’s believed to be a high school national record. The splurge came during the Louisiana High School B.A.S.S. Nation Hawg Fest. Caney Lake, as it’s often called, is home to six of the 10 heaviest largemouth catches in Bayou State history. And with high schoolers catching stringers averaging nearly 8 pounds per bass, it’s easy to see why.
6. Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana
[2,200 acres] Records break at Bussey Brake. OK, enough of the puns. But it’s true — record catches have been coming in bunches from this tiny Wildlife Management Area lake in extreme northeast Louisiana. It started with a 13.58 hog caught there in mid-February and was followed by a 15.36-pound giant later that month by Robert Rush of nearby Crossett, Ark. Last year, Major League Fishing pro Randy Howell caught a 12-pound, 14-ounce lunker at Bussey, which was the biggest bass ever recorded in that circuit’s history. The lake, which once supplied water to a nearby paper mill, is new to bass fishing, having been donated to the state in 2013. It was stocked with Florida-strain bass only six years ago, meaning the best is likely still to come from this secluded gem.
7. Mille Lacs, Minnesota
[132,500 acres] “Thousand Lakes” continues to represent Northern bass fishing in the best way. It’s a smallmouth paradise. Consider the results from the second annual City Auto Glass Bass Classic held last September, when Tony Groskreutz and Jeff Ziermann caught a limit totaling 24.89, including a 5.52 smallie, to win the first prize of $10,000. Also that month, Dustin Connell earned a Bass Pro Tour win with 20 bass over four days totaling 82-9.
8. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
[114,000 acres] Was there any doubt that trusty Sam Rayburn would be on this list? We think not. Rayburn may not be the top lake (as it was in 2018), but it’s not like the place has taken a mighty tumble. Far from it. Rayburn produced four ShareLunkers through April, including two Elite Class fish, the heaviest being Andy Brignac’s 10.78 boated back in February. What makes Rayburn so solid is the consistency of the fishery. It’s pretty much expected that tournament anglers will limit out here regularly, and those five fish almost always total at least 15 to 18 pounds. And it’s huge, with plenty of room for all comers to maneuver.
9. Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, Oklahoma
[41,779 acres] Grand Lake has been on this list each of the 12 years it’s been published. It’s already hosted two Bassmaster Classics (in 2013 and 2016) and is set to host the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing yet again in 2024. The track record speaks for itself. So what makes Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees so special? A lot of things, but really, it’s the consistent, world-class bass fishing that keeps bringing B.A.S.S. and recreational anglers from around the globe back to this corner of northeast Oklahoma. Consider that it took 25.72 pounds to win the Anglers in Action Team Trail opener in March, and the top three teams in a team tournament topped 18 pounds in late April. Results matter. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees provides them.
10. West Okoboji Lake, Iowa
[3,847 acres] Where’s some of the best bass fishing in America? If you said Iowa, quit lying. And if you’re an Iowan, how much longer can this place be such a secret? Seriously, Okoboji (particularly cold and clear West Okoboji) has results to show. Take, for instance, the catches at a Full Throttle Team Tournament in mid-April, only two days removed from the lake icing over. The winning team bagged 24.74 (including a 6.11-pounder), while second place came in with 22.24 (and a 6.82-pound big bass). That’s good bassin’, no matter where you are in the world.
11. Caddo Lake, Louisiana/Texas
 [25,400 acres] Caddo is among the more scenic fisheries in the country, with its array of mossy cypress trees providing the backdrop for a gaggle of Hollywood movies. Bass anglers know Caddo for its gigantic largemouth, though, and those sights are as pretty as any to behold. Consider the 27.89 stringer it took to win an H&W Marine Powersports Team Trail tournament on April 1 (no foolin’!). The heavy of the day was an 8.55 largemouth, which sets anglers’ hearts aflutter. And remember Alexis Virgillito, who helped set a high school record at Caney Creek? She teamed with Parkway High School’s Taylor Bacot to catch a whopping one-day limit of 30-3 to win the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Bass Fishing Championship on Caddo Lake in March.
12. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma
[104,000 acres] This is another of the top stops for Oklahomans and traveling pros alike. B.A.S.S. held one of its nine St. Croix Bassmaster Opens tournaments of 2023 on the sprawling fishery in June, and that came on the heels of the Oklahoma College State Championship at Lake Eufaula held in May. Back in April, it took veteran pro Alton Jones Jr. 81-15 over four days to win a Major League Fishing event at the lake.
13. Lake of the Arbuckles/Arbuckle Lake, Oklahoma
[2,350 acres] Arbuckle hasn’t been on this list for a good while, but it’s claiming a rightful spot in 2023. What’s one of the smaller lakes on our list has produced some of the biggest bass in Oklahoma this year, with a South Central Bass Anglers team event in April taking more than 22 pounds to win, including an 8.66 lunker to claim big-bass honors. Last year, a 14.57-pound beast was caught at Arbuckle, which immediately became one of the Top 10 biggest bass in state history. There’s a Fatty Arbuckle joke in here someplace, right?
14. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
[54,000 acres] This mid-America boating playground is a bass angler’s paradise. Just ask Brock Boyher of Chesterfield, Mo., who caught a 7.27-pounder to win the 2023 AFTCO Spring Big Bass Bash (and $100,000) on April 15-16. A few weeks before that, TJ Martin won a BFL event here with a five-bass limit weighing 26-2. Two different Anglers in Action Team Trail tourneys earlier this year required limits of 23 and 20.95 pounds to win derby honors.
15. Lake Falcon, Texas
[87,000 to 115,400 acres, depending on elevation] A quick glance at Falcon’s heaviest bass on record this year doesn’t automatically scream, “Get it on the list!” After all, 8.34 pounds is fairly standard for big-bass awards on as many as two dozen Texas fisheries. But true to Texas form, it’s what might happen on Falcon that gets this perennial favorite onto the Top 25 Central Lakes list. The place is so vast, and so far removed from a major population center, that it’s likely underfished. And it’s almost certain that results here are underreported. But fisheries biologists in the state say don’t let that 8.34 “big” fool you. Falcon remains a Top 5 pick for them, as well as the dedicated anglers that make the journey to the border for “Los Gigantes.”
16. Lake Oahe, South Dakota
[374,000 acres] There aren’t as many bass lakes in South Dakota as, say, Florida or Texas. But Lake Oahe looms like a giant every summer in the Great Plains. And B.A.S.S. has taken notice, so much so it sent its Elite Series anglers (and the giant production team it takes to stage such an event) way out to Oahe in 2018 and again in 2022. Minnesota’s Austin Felix, who was the Elite Series Rookie of the Year in 2020, won his first Elite event at Oahe with a four-day total of 71-9 last year. He targeted the rabid smallmouth bite in that derby, learning what South Dakota fisheries biologists and everyday anglers in the area already knew: Oahe rewards those brave enough to tackle its vast wilds.
17. Lake Nacogdoches, Texas
[2,200 acres] Everyone knows that everything is bigger in Texas. Well, almost everything. Lake Nacogdoches is a kiddie pool compared to the Olympic-size ponds of Rayburn and Falcon. But the bass from this little pearl rival anything coming from the big boys. Look no further than five ShareLunkers boated here in the first trimester of 2023, including the 13.51-pound Legacy Class bass that Jack York of Emory, Texas, caught back in January. The big ones kept coming well into April, too, with a 9.13 and an 8.53 adding to the Lunker Class tally.
18. Bull Shoals, Arkansas/Missouri
[45,000 acres] Steady as she goes at old Bull Shoals, which continues to produce some of the finest Ozark Mountains fishing there is. It took 19.83 and 19.94 pounds to win a pair of Joe Bass Team Trail events in January, showing the fishery’s strength even in the dead of winter. And during a frigid tournament a month later, the top bag still weighed nearly 17 pounds and big-bass honors went to a team that hooked a 6.88 largemouth.
19. Lake Conroe, Texas
[19,640 acres] If you’re looking to bust big bass in southeast Texas, chances are you’re heading to this faithful fishery just north of Houston, site of the 2017 Bassmaster Classic. Conroe continues to be as consistent as any bass lake in the area, with a nifty nine ShareLunker bass coming from the lake through April 2023. The biggest reported so far this year was “only” 9.04 pounds, but there’s not one bass angler in the Lone Star State who’ll disagree with catches like that.
20. Table Rock Lake, Missouri
[43,100 acres] Catching big ones means a lot, but consistency in a fishery might be even more valued by recreational anglers. Table Rock Lake fits the bill. Despite frigid climes in a mid-March derby, it took 18.69 pounds to win an Anglers in Action Team Trail event. Perhaps more telling was that each of the Top 10 teams weighed 15 pounds or more in the extreme conditions. And in a Phoenix Boats event a month earlier, the Top 5 bags all were more than 17 pounds, led by Justin Luetkemeyer’s 18-14 limit. A 6.73-pounder won a Cabela’s Big Bass Tour event in mid-April.
21. Upper Mississippi River, Wisconsin
[200 miles long] There’s no way to measure the exact acreage of the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis., but bass fishing on the expansive floodplain definitely registers nationally. The Elites were here in 2022 for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River, and it took Bryan Schmitt’s four-day total of 63-4 to win the event. Chris Johnston, Keith Combs and Brandon Lester (all among the world’s best bass anglers) also caught more than 60 pounds in the tournament. B.A.S.S. will head back to the area in July for the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX.
22. Lake Hudson, Oklahoma
[12,000 acres] Oklahoma fisheries biologists put Lake Hudson up there with the usual big boys of Sooner State fishing, and the results make the case. Take a look at the Hudson Bass Anglers Club, which has a four-bass limit in tournaments. First place in an April event was 18.35, and it took 19.32 to win one in March. Many Oklahomans consider the lake to be as consistent as any in the state for landing bass in the 3- to 5-pound range.
23. Lake Bistineau, Louisiana
[15,550 acres] It’s not exactly a destination lake for anglers across the U.S., but this popular fishery in the Shreveport area is well known among bass busters in north Louisiana. A limit of 20.97 won an H&W Marine Powersports Team Trail tournament on Bistineau in late April, and the big bass weighed 6.11 on the event scales. Fisheries biologists in the state say Bistineau is on the climb, too, following a salvinia infestation in 2009 that clogged nearly one-third of the lake.
24. Newton Lake, Illinois
[1,750 acres] This jewel about two hours east of St. Louis is always among the most productive bass lakes in Illinois. It’s not a big lake, offering anglers 52 miles of shoreline with an average water depth of 16 feet. The average bass caught at Newton is no small deal, however, with the top largemouth caught in a tournament there in 2022 weighing 7.8 pounds. The fifth-heaviest bass caught by a tournament angler last year weighed 7.3 pounds, proving the consistency of the lake’s heftiest fish.
25. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma/Texas
[89,000 acres] Big lake. Big bass. It’s really that simple in the case of Lake Texoma, which straddles the Oklahoma/Texas border. The Top 5 teams in the Texoma Spring Team Series each weighed more than 16.80 pounds, including the winning duo with 21.25 pounds. The heaviest largemouth of the tournament tipped the scales at 7.56 pounds and the biggest smallie went for 4.77 — not so small at all.
]]> 1129102 Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2023 https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/top-10-best-bass-lakes-of-2023/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:08:20 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1129069
If you are like most bass anglers, you have a home lake. It may be 30 minutes down the road. You have your favorite spots. And you may even catch bass with consistency. But, where should you go fishing when you get the rare hall pass or free weekend? That was the question that spawned the 100 Best Bass Lakes franchise 12 years ago.
 
There’s no need to jump on the Google machine and chase fishing reports down rabbit holes. We did the chasing for you … about two month’s worth. As mentioned every year in this feature, Bassmaster contacts the fisheries departments in every state to get feedback on the current state of their bass lakes. We survey the B.A.S.S. Nation presidents and conservation directors in every state to get their feedback on the best fisheries they’ve experienced in the past 12 months. Then, we dig into tournament results and fish-catch surveys from every lake mentioned, as well as some we come across independently, to create a master list. Numbers are crunched and a blue-ribbon panel of industry insiders vote on the rankings.
 
What follows is a whole lot of homework that we hope allows you to cheat on the test of finding bass eager to bite.
1. O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas
For the second consecutive year, O.H. Ivie is an easy choice as the best bass lake in the Central Region, and for the first time ever, the easy choice for best lake in the nation. And, oh my, why not? As of late April, a total of 38 of the 214 bass entered in this year’s Toyota ShareLunker program, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, were caught in this gem of a fishery. An amazing 15 of those 38 bass were Legacy Class, meaning they weighed more than 13 pounds and were caught during the spawning period of January through March. The biggest of the bunch was a 17.03-pound behemoth hooked by Jason Conn of Anna, Texas, on Feb. 13 — a Top 10 catch in state history. Another 14 Elite Class bass (at least 10 pounds) were among the heaviest catches on Ivie in early 2023. Ivie crashed the national spotlight in 2022 when 11 Legacy Class bass were caught through early May. Amazingly, the lake has only gotten better in 2023.
2. St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York
A Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in July 2022 demonstrated that this could be the best smallmouth fishery to ever exist. Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat won the four-day event with 102 pounds, 9 ounces. He is the first angler in B.A.S.S. history to win with over 100 pounds of solely smallmouth. His catch was just the tip of the iceberg. Canada’s Cory Johnston finished second with 100-5. The Top 5 anglers all weighed in more than 98 pounds of brown bass. Of the 90 anglers in the event, 55 of them averaged more than 20 pounds per day. The big bass weighed 6-12. In a word, astounding.
3. Clear Lake, California
After falling out of the top spot for the past two years, California’s largest natural lake is the best in the West once again. And with one of the wettest springs in history putting an end to a multiyear drought, Clear Lake will only get better as 2023 progresses. Plenty of flooded vegetation providing ideal habitat, with an abundance of baitfish keeping hungry bass well fed, makes this the place to go for that limit of a lifetime. And largemouth in the 8- to 10-pound class, which are practically common here, offer many a great opportunity to catch your personal best. In six of 11 tournaments surveyed, the winning angler had limits with bass averaging 5 or more pounds apiece. Big fish at a NewJen Bass TOC in late January, American Bass contests in March and April and a Best Bass Tournament Trail event in April tipped the scales at 10.78, 10.13, 10.86 and 11.85 pounds, respectively.
4. Lake Murray, South Carolina
There is a new king of the Palmetto State, and this fishery should be No. 1 on your bucket list for angling the southeast portion of our great nation. We saw hints last year when every tournament we researched took a little more than 20 pounds to win. This year, however, 20 pounds will do little for your goal to reach the gold-medal podium. This lake is called the Jewel of the South, and rightly so, as it currently wears the crown in this region. Just look at the results of the April Elite Series event held here. There were 49 limits weighed in over 20 pounds. Of the 103 anglers competing, only a handful didn’t catch a limit every day. Six limits topped the 24-pound mark, and three limits were over 26 pounds! The average weight of bass weighed in for the entire event (1,311 fish) was 3.4 pounds. Big bass of the event was 7-11. This fishery is beautiful, full of fish and has some giants swimming around to boot. Many Elite Series anglers believe it is the best lake in the country right now, and they are not too far off.
5. Fellsmere Reservoir/Stick Marsh/Kenansville Lake, Florida
These Sunshine State triplets were the best the Southeast had to offer last year, and you could argue the fact again this year. Now, pressure is affecting the numbers of bass an angler can expect to catch when they visit, but the giants still swim here. Looking at Florida’s TrophyCatch data (which awards anglers who catch a largemouth over 8 pounds), 73 were reported from Fellsmere (also called Headwaters), with an 11-8 being the biggest. That’s the most of any lake in Florida. Two came from Stick Marsh, including a 9-6. So you know, there is currently a drawdown on Stick Marsh for a habitat-enhancement project, so the fishery is kayak-only until the water levels rise. Kenansville boasted seven TrophyCatch lunkers, with a monster 13-10 leading the pack!
6. Toledo Bend Reservoir, Louisiana/Texas border
The Bend is back! Not that it ever left, really, but boy, did it sure feel like a revival when Ben Milliken caught 77-14 over the course of three days to win the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend in mid-April. It was the third-heaviest total in a three-day Open tournament in B.A.S.S. history and as impressive a victory as witnessed in recent years. Milliken’s average weight, just shy of 26 pounds a day, was a hammering reminder that not only is Toledo Bend one of the biggest bass lakes in the country, but also one of its most productive. And it wasn’t just the Texas pro catching ’em. A total of 5,053 pounds, 6 ounces was caught over the course of three days in the boater division. That’s one of the highest totals in recent memory, though it trails the three-day record caught at (you guessed it) Toledo Bend, when boaters caught 6,275-4 over three days back in 2002.
7. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
Despite the intense fishing pressure Lake St. Clair receives, it reigns supreme for yielding smallmouth bass in quantity and quality. An annual study by Tom Goniea, tournament specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, compiled the results of 83 tournaments here. Of the 6,582 bass caught, 1,040 weighed over 4 pounds. Only one bass exceeded 6 pounds. The average fish weighed 3.18 pounds. Over 90% were smallmouth. Heavy limits are commonplace, such as the 27-13 winning catch during a high school tournament in July 2022 that drew 21 teams. The top three teams had over 20 pounds. The following month it took 24-3 to win a 44-team collegiate tournament. The top 12 all had over 20 pounds.
8. Orange Lake, Florida
If you were to guess where the biggest bass was caught in the state of Florida this year, you’d be wrong. Unless, of course, you guessed this fishery. Yep, we were shocked, as well. A 14-1 was landed here in April by Chad Dorland. Plus, three 13s were caught here in February. In all, 50 TrophyCatch lunkers, 17 of which were over 10 pounds, were landed here in the past 12 months. The numbers of 8-pound fish don’t hold a candle to Fellsmere, but the number of truly giant fish swimming in this lake is unrivaled. Oh, and an Xtreme Bass Series event was held here in February and was won with 28.87 pounds, anchored by a 12.59 big fish.
9. Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York
Lake Erie’s eastern basin continues to thrill smallmouth anglers with trophy bass and plenty of action. New York B.A.S.S. Nation President David Repman claims you can expect to catch 30 to 50 smallmouth a day and that 15% of them will weigh over 4 pounds. He mentioned that a big bass event held here in May 2023 produced several smallmouth over 6 pounds. “If you want a 7-pound smallmouth, come here from mid-September to mid-October,” Repman said. “That’s when the big mommas move shallow.”
10. Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Last year, we announced that the Big O was back. This goliath of a fishery was finally on the mend and nearly cracked the Top 10 in these rankings. Well, we just thought it was good last year. The Roland Martin Marine Center Series held an event there this past May. It was not only epic, but perhaps even historic. Weighing in 29 pounds on this day wouldn’t crack the Top 25! The top 20 anglers weighed in over 30 pounds. Not kidding. The winning weight was 36.82, which barely edged out the second-place finishers’ 36.19. This, of course, is not normal. It was a once-in-a-lifetime perfect storm. Still, it showed what is currently swimming in this lake, and you’d be smart to hit it while it’s hot.
]]> 1129069 Best Bass Lakes 2022: Western https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2022-western/ Wed, 28 Sep 2022 16:31:54 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1049474
1. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California
The record drought taking place in the West sadly continues to add to a long list of adverse impacts. From drinking water shortages to public health issues, the implications are far-reaching. The long-term consequences for bass anglers are unclear. In the short term, however, the resulting reduction in outflows through the California Delta’s myriad rivers, tule-lined sloughs and flooded islands are having a positive effect on the largemouth community. With the system’s already big fish getting even bigger thanks to increases in vegetation and prey, these tidal waters remain one of the best fisheries in the nation. It took five bass averaging almost 7 pounds apiece to win an early April Best Bass Tournament Trail event. Big fish at that one went 10.04. At the end of the month, at a two-day NewJen Bass contest, pros and amateurs weighed in 30 largemouth over 6 pounds. The winning pro locked up the victory by bringing 39.37 pounds to the scales on the second day of competition.
2. Clear Lake, California
With more trophy largemouth weighed in here than at any other Western lake or reservoir, the Golden State’s largest natural body of water remains the ultimate big-bass factory. Clear Lake provides ample opportunities for not only the fish of a lifetime, but for limits of every angler’s dreams. It took an 8- to 10-pound bass to claim big-fish honors at 60% of the tournaments surveyed this year. That includes 47 bags over 20 pounds during a Wild West Bass Trail Pro-Am in March. Big fish was a 10.88-pound bruiser.
3. New Bullards Bar Reservior, California
The bass lurking in the turquoise waters of this Tahoe National Forest reservoir can be finicky, but their selective eating habits are part of the reason they grow to monstrous sizes. Spots are the name of the game here, with multiple state and world records broken over the years. And it happened once again this past February when Nathaniel Hilligoss claimed the new record with an 11-pound, 5-ounce fish, beating the previous benchmark set in 2017 by Nick Dulleck by a single ounce.
4. Pyramid Lake, California
Not to be confused with Nevada’s Truckee River impoundment of the same name, this California State Water Project reservoir is a popular recreational destination. That means anglers can expect lots of company given that it’s less than 1 1/2 hours from Los Angeles. Although most of Pyramid’s bass are average, its trophies are huge. It took only 20 pounds to win Best Bass Tournament Trail contests here in February and April, but big fish at the events tipped the scale at 10.43 and 12.61 pounds, respectively.
5. Diamond Valley Lake, California
Diamond Valley is southern California’s largest reservoir and part of the drinking water supply for the region’s 19 million people. The average weight of a five-bass limit here is down some but still noteworthy at 24.6 pounds (compared to almost 28 pounds last year). Massive fish, however, are still common. It took a largemouth over 6 pounds to claim the big-bass prize at all but one of the tournaments we surveyed. The biggest of the bunch, caught during a National Bass West team event, was 9.02.
6. Trinity Lake, California
Trinity is one of California’s largest reservoirs, but it doesn’t get much attention as a bass angler’s mecca. That may be due to the 90-minute drive along a windy mountain road that is necessary to get to the ramp. It may also be the outcome of the destination’s tight-lipped regulars who don’t want others to know about the quality fishing available here. The champion at a Wild West Bass Trail Apex Pro Tour event in April won with 33.29 pounds during the final round of competition and said that he landed 25 fish over 5 pounds that day.
7. Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
Theodore Roosevelt Lake is central Arizona’s largest body of water, and the fishing has been up and down since a 14-pound largemouth and the state record smallie were recorded in 1988. But with better management, the fishery has been improving. Anglers won’t find the heaviest averages here, but there is still a decent chance of hooking into a trophy fish. Big bass at a Wild West Bass Trail team contest in early April was 8.01 pounds. There were also 7.97- and 7.04-pound fish brought to the scales.
8. Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
While the frigid waters at this glacial lake aren’t for faint-of-heart swimmers, they are ideal for its monster northern pike, trout and landlocked salmon. But according to Martin Koenig, sportfishing program coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, it also suits bass. Even with peak August temperatures barely touching 70 degrees, CDA’s smallmouth and largemouth get big. A Montana Bass Federation event in April was won with 23.08, with an 8.17-pound big fish indicating what an anomaly this place is.
9. Siltcoos Lake, Oregon
Siltcoos is a low-elevation coastal lake, sitting a mere 3 miles from the ocean and only 13 feet above sea level. And Northern waters like this are typically void of productive structure and cover, resulting in below-par bass in terms of size. This place, however, challenges the norm with an abundance of steep dropoffs, fallen timber and submerged vegetation. The result is this year’s top Pacific Northwest pick. It took 44.23 pounds to win a two-day Emerald Bass Club tournament here in April. Big bass went 8.61.
10. Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
This has always been the place to go for huge bronzebacks. Sadly, fewer trophies have been the result of recent decreases in kokanee, one of their favorite meals. Things, however, are changing. And the title of a March 28, 2022, Idaho Fish and Game paper says it all: “Kokanee numbers high in Dworshak Reservoir; expect high catch rates of small kokanee, improved growth of smallmouth bass.” The effect is already evident. The Clearwater Bass Anglers of Idaho held a tournament in April; big fish were 7.56 and 7.48 monster smallies.
11. Osoyoos Lake, Washington
Osoyoos is a long, narrow lake spanning the border between Washington and British Columbia. It may seem like a long way to travel to fish a far North body of water that is unlikely to produce trophy bass, but anglers make the trip because they know there are indeed lots of chunky smallmouth and largemouth in the 5-pound class. In 2021, Shane Hoelzle took the fly tackle 2-pound tippet world record here with a 7.6-pound largemouth. And it took a 5.16-pound average to win an Okanogan Valley Club event this past April.
12. Lake Havasu, Arizona/California
Havasu is a big body of water, but with an average depth of 33 feet, it’s relatively shallow by Western reservoir standards. That, combined with mild winters and lots of artificial habitat, is good news for bass anglers. Equal numbers of smallmouth and largemouth can be taken year-round here, including some trophies, with the key to catching a particular species simply changing areas. A three-day total of 47.25 secured the win at the 2022 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional this year. Big fish was 8.81. 
13. Columbia River, Oregon/Washington
Salmon and steelhead have always been the stars here. Unfortunately, due to stock declines, there have been efforts to reduce predatory non-native fish populations. It will take years to evaluate the effects of the removal of bass creel and size limits. But for now the Columbia remains a top Western fishery. Smallies dominate the flowing waters, while quality largemouth are common in backwater areas. It took 24.44 to win an Oregon B.A.S.S. Federation Nation tournament in April.
14. Potholes Reservoir, Washington
More than 11,700 years ago Glacial Lake Missoula floodwaters carved out depressions in the Washington landscape. And thousands of tiny islands, surrounded by these natural potholes, were created with the building of O’Sullivan Dam. Water level fluctuations allowed the establishment of willows on the islands, creating perfect largemouth habitat when submerged. There are smallies in rocky areas, too. The top team at a March American Bass contest weighed 24.85, anchored by a 6.24-pound fish.
15. Moses Lake, Washington
Named after the leader of a local Native American tribe, Moses Lake sits in Washington’s Southern Cascades. With only three months of warm weather, you wouldn’t think that bass would put on much weight here. But for a Pacific Northwest fishery, they do. Smallmouth dominate at Moses, with fish often exceeding 5 pounds. Largemouth, which get even bigger, can be found in select areas, too. Big fish at a Spokane Bass Club event in March tipped the scales at 6.14 pounds. The largest smallie of the tournament was 5.42.
16. Lake Mead, Arizona/Nevada
The current mega-drought in the West is having one of the largest negative impacts on the country’s biggest reservoir. Parts of the lake never seen since its filling are being revealed, including the original water intake valve. But even at only 30% full, it appears that Mead will remain open to recreation, although more dangerous for boaters, with its quality bass available to anglers. The first-place duo at an Ultimate Bass Team Tour event in April weighed 18.75 pounds. Big fish at this one was 6.16.
17. Sand Hollow Reservoir, Utah
This relatively young reservoir is the key to providing drinking water to Utah residents during the ongoing drought. It also remains one of the best places to catch big largemouth thanks to a six-fish limit, with only one over 12 inches allowed. The bad news is that bass weights continue along a declining trend again this year. It has typically taken well over 15 pounds to win here, but the 2022 contests we surveyed were won with only 11 to just over 15 pounds. Big-fish weights ranged from 4.5 to 6.1 pounds.
18. Lake Mohave, Arizona/Nevada
The mixing of cold, nutrient-rich waters with warmer lake waters in Eldorado Canyon is a textbook recipe for high productivity. And that equates to a healthy food chain. Earl Conway, New Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director, says that Mohave remains one of the region’s top lakes in terms of bass quality despite a few smaller waters in the northern part of the state fishing better. It took better than 20 pounds to make the Top 6 on the pro side at the WON Bass Laughlin Open in March.
19. Apache Lake, Arizona
It’s a long trip to the Superstition Wilderness and Apache that includes an 11-mile unpaved section of State Highway 88. But its remoteness leads to less fishing pressure than at other Arizona waters. The end results are excellent largemouth and smallmouth fisheries. Bass average only 2 to 3 pounds here, but those who go say it’s the number of fish caught that makes the trip worthwhile. And there are some larger fish, too. Big bass at a Bass Federation tournament in March weighed 7.4 pounds.
20. C.J. Strike Reservoir, Idaho
The damming of the Snake and Bruneau rivers created the narrow arms of this elongated reservoir. And its relatively stable water levels lead to consistent fishing. Smallmouth are the most abundant species swimming C.J. Strike’s cold waters, but anglers often need to find one or two largemouth to win tournaments here. The winning team at a Mountain Home Hawg Hunters event in April had 23.51 pounds, with six smallies and four chunky largemouth that included the 5.70 second-biggest fish.
21. Lake Washington, Washington
This is the second-largest natural lake in the state, and that’s fortunate considering it’s just over 2 miles from Seattle as the crow flies. There are smallmouth and largemouth here, with the former dominating. And both get big, with tournament anglers winning with a limit of either. The Washington Bass Association’s Mike Albertson Open was won with five smallies weighing 19.74 pounds. The second-place team had a limit of largemouth for 19.56.
22. Alamo Lake, Arizona
Located 40 miles southeast of Lake Havasu City, Alamo’s quality largemouth are sometimes overlooked by anglers heading to bigger and better-known reservoirs. But the anglers who fish here regularly know that its crystal-clear waters shouldn’t be overlooked. The lake’s one downside is its abrupt water level fluctuations that can make catching bass tough. So, try to go when things are stable. A Midweek Bass Anglers tournament in March was won with 18.77, with the seventh-place team weighing in the 5.64 big fish.
23. Lower Colorado River, Arizona/California
The importance of the Colorado is well known, delivering drinking water to over 30 million people, irrigating 5.6 million acres of prime agricultural lands and providing critical habitat to six threatened and endangered species. But it’s also one of the few river-fishing opportunities bass anglers will find in the West. The Imperial Dam creates a bounty of backwaters and small lakes ideal for growing quality fish. It took 17.85 to win an American Bass tournament out of Fisher’s Landing in January.
24. Tenmile Lake, Oregon
Tenmile was originally known for its steelhead and salmon. But the removal of wetlands and increased sedimentation have turned it into a warm-water lake ideal for growing bass. Lonnie Johnson, Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director, says Tenmile is his pick for the state’s top fishery. And although tournament landings at Siltcoos and on the Columbia have been better this year, it remains one of the best thanks to a 5.7-pound big fish landed at a Tenmile Bass Club event in February.
25. Brownlee Reservoir, Idaho/Oregon
Fly over Brownlee and you’ll likely be asking the pilot where the reservoir is. That’s because this long, narrow impoundment looks like nothing more than a wide reach of the Snake River. Its main feature is the steep, rocky banks that flank each side. And although both largemouth and smallmouth can be found here, the habitat favors the smallies that almost always dominate catches. During an April Snake River Bassmasters contest, the entire 22-team field brought limits to the scales — all bronzebacks.
]]> 1049474 Best Bass Lakes 2022: Central https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2022-central/ Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:49:09 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1049257
1. O.H. Ivie, Texas
Oh my, O.H. Ivie! Seems like only last year (Hint: It was.) that Ivie crept into the national spotlight with a 10-day stretch in February that produced six Legacy ShareLunkers weighing more than 13 pounds and a five-bass stringer that totaled a mind-boggling 60 pounds. The central Texas reservoir hasn’t let up one bit since those eye-poppers, with 11 Legacy ShareLunkers reported through early May 2022, including beasts of 17.06 and 16.10 pounds caught within a week of one another in late February/early March. Two more ShareLunker Legends (13-pounders caught from April through December) came from Ivie this year, as well as 19 more Elite ShareLunkers (10 to 12.99 pounds) and nine more that weighed 8 to 9.99 pounds or measured 24 inches long. Make no mistake, the O.H. Ivie bass are proving things really are bigger in Texas.
2. Lake Fork, Texas
The top-ranked Central Division bass lake in 2021 falls to second-best this year, but it doesn’t fall far at all. The big-bass hot spot just east of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has produced the second-most ShareLunkers (14) in the state this year, including one that tipped the scales at 12.30 pounds. Everyone, from pros to weekend warriors, knows Lake Fork is one of America’s finest fisheries. B.A.S.S. knows Fork is where it’s at, too, with 2022 marking the fourth consecutive year the Elite Series paid a visit.
3. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
Don’t mess with Sam. Always among the nation’s best bass lakes (No. 1 in 2018 and No. 3 in 2019), Rayburn is enjoying a typical year in 2022, meaning it’s a bonanza compared to just about everywhere else. As of early May, eight ShareLunkers had come from the east Texas giant, including a 14.38-pound whopper largemouth hooked in early March. An 11.10 heavy won an angler $110,000 in cash and prizes at the Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash in late April.
4. Caney Creek Reservoir, Lousiana
Caney Creek Reservoir is a small fishery that produces big bass. Strike that — REALLY big bass. Six of the top 10 largemouth in Louisiana history have come from Caney, and the first few months of 2022 have produced catches right up there with the best of them. A weekend warrior caught a stringer just shy of 38 pounds in February, with the heaviest of the bunch coming in at 10.27 pounds. Later that month, partners in a team tournament on Caney Creek Reservoir caught a pair of giants — a 13.01 and a 10.77.
5. Toledo Bend, Louisiana/Texas
“The Big Bend” led the B.A.S.S. Top 100 list twice in the past decade, and it continues to be quite possibly the most consistent fishery of any in the U.S. Recent winning totals include a one-day haul of five bass weighing 32.79 in an Outlaw Outdoors team tournament and a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 48.77 in the Texas Oilman Bass Invitational. Even the high schoolers are knocking ’em out at Toledo Bend. It took five-bass limits of 23.49 and 20.99 to win recent prep events on the giant reservoir straddling the central Louisiana/Texas border.
6. West Okoboji Lake, Iowa
Okoboji is part of the Iowa Great Lakes system, one of six water bodies that total 12,000 acres in northwest Iowa. The chain produces solid fishing throughout, but West Okoboji — clear and cold — is considered by most to offer the best bassin’. That’s hard to argue, considering the 23.91 limit that won the final tournament of the Full Throttle Team Tournament late last year, with a 7.15 anchoring the bag. The 26th Annual Okoboji Open Fishing Tournament on May 1 had even better numbers, with a 27.28 limit leading the team totals and 7.29 taking big-bass honors.
7. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma
This powerhouse lake would like to have a word with every other bass fishery in America. “I lead. You folla’.” OK, maybe that’s a bad pun on the Eufaula name, but there’s no badmouthing this place when it comes to catching bass. Winning totals for one-day events this year have included sacks of 23-6, 22-4 and 22-8, as well as big-bass catches of 9-6 and 6-4.
8. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
This central Missouri playground is listed by many as the Show Me State’s top bass lake of 2022, and there’s reason to believe they’re on target. The winner of a three-day MLF Toyota Series event in March needed 59-13 to hold off a talented field. A month later, at the AFTCO Spring Big Bass Bash presented by Phoenix Boats, a 7.58-pound largemouth netted a big-bass prize of $100,000 for 20-year-old Kaleb Allison of nearby Lincoln, Mo. Those are figures that catch eyes across the country, but they’re ones the bass fishing faithful have come to expect from Lake of the Ozarks.
9. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
Mille Lacs, or “Thousand Lakes” in French, previously topped our 100 Best Bass Lakes list in 2017, and it remains productive today. In the catch-and-release Champions Tour Championship in September 2021, the winner caught 21 bass in one day totaling 62-12, the heaviest weighing 5-5. The second-place angler finished more than 10 pounds behind but had a higher average weight than the winner (3-4 to 2-15). Because the Minnesota bass fishing season is limited to basically the summer months, Mille Lacs anglers can endure some boating pressure, despite the lake’s size. Still, it’s a worthwhile venture for some of the best smallmouth fishing in the U.S.
10. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is another Northern fishery with a fantastic smallmouth bite. In the annual Fall Sturgeon Bay Open held last September, the top seven teams all caught limits of smallies that weighed more than 20 pounds, and the winning sack tipped the scales at 22-3. And in the 31st Annual Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament held a few months earlier, it took 53-4 to win a two-day team event (with smallmouth limits of 26 and 27-4). The 2022 event held this past May was won with a two-day total of 52-12. Most impressive, however, is that a giant 7-12 took big-bass honors. And, new this year, the North American Bass Challenge will hold a Big Bass Championship on Sturgeon Bay on Sept. 11.
11. Oak Creek Reservoir, Texas
It’s by no means a big fishery, but Oak Creek certainly has fished big in recent months, staking its claim among the best bass factories in a state filled with them. Eight ShareLunkers have been caught at Oak Creek through early May 2022, including two that were Elite class: an 11.88 in early March and an 11.1 in late February. That’s up from the two ShareLunker bass that came from the reservoir in all of 2021. In fact, both of those bass came in the fourth quarter of last year, meaning this little west Texas treasure could be an up-and-comer.
12. Choke Canyon Reservoir, Texas 
Few places in the country have been as consistent as Choke Canyon in recent months, making the reservoir northwest of Corpus Christi a riser on this list. Take for instance the Texas Team Trail tournament held in March. The Top 5 teams in the derby each had five-bass limits of at least 20 pounds, including the 26.57 that won the event. The big bass in that event weighed 7.06 pounds, and that wasn’t enough to get the tandem that caught it into the Top 30 boats competing that day.
13. Table Rock Lake, Missouri
Steady as it gets, “The Rock” is on a roll again in 2022. Anglers from the Joe Bass Team Trail frequent the southern Missouri fishery and have needed five-bass limits of 21.26 and 18.78 to win early-season events this year. Those bags were anchored by 6.94 and 6.21 bass, respectively. In a Big Bass Tour stop in early April, the Top 5 fish all weighed more than 6 pounds, including an 8.02 that was the heavy of the event. That’s solid — as a rock.
14. Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas
Forget the funny name — this place is all business when it comes to bass fishing. Need proof? How about three ShareLunkers in February to the tune of 13.38, 13.2 and 13.06 pounds? Those were the first Legacy class fish to come from Possum Kingdom in 31 years, which could be a sign that the lake just west of the DFW skyline ain’t playing possum at all. It’s wide awake.
15. Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana
No doubt about it: The Bayou State’s newest WMA is a big-bass beast. Once an emergency water supply for a now-defunct paper mill, the property was donated in 2013 to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which began stocking the lake in 2017. Five years later, record-setting fish are being caught, including a 12-14 caught by Randy Howell in an MLF event in February. Bradley Roy had a 26-2 limit the same day. Pro angler Tyler Stewart caught a 12.74-pounder in mid-2021 on Bussey, another in a line of buzzworthy bass coming from this pearl tucked away in Louisiana’s northeast corner. 
16. Lake Conroe, Texas 
The site of the 2017 Bassmaster Classic has quietly ticked along as one of the better bass lakes in a state filled with some real treasures. Through early May, the lake just north of Houston had given up eight ShareLunker bass of more than 8 pounds, including one Elite class catch that weighed an even 10 pounds. In a Big Bass Tour stop in February, the top three catches weighed double digits, led by a 10.33 mule.
17. Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, Oklahoma
Grand has hosted two Bassmaster Classics and remains a favorite of B.A.S.S. and bass anglers. There’s good reason for that, too. Consider some recent results from the lake in the northeast corner of the Sooner State. It took 42-7 over three days in May to win the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional on Grand Lake. A Future Bass Team Trail event in March was won with a 23.34 one-day total, and the big bass of the day weighed 6.88. The winner of another team event in April required similar weights (23.06 total, 6.08 for the big bass).
18. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri 
This historic fishery is near the tiny town of Flippin, Ark. — ground zero for bass boat manufacturers like Ranger, Vexus and Double XX. Boats, sure. But how about bass? Well, Ozark anglers are bullish on Bull Shoals, and rightfully so. Consider that it took more than 22 pounds to win a Joe Bass Team Trail event in January and 20 pounds to win a one-day event on the circuit a month later. In April, 22 1/2 pounds were needed to claim a Big Johns team tourney, with a 6.32 heavy taking big-bass honors.
19. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma/Texas
The sprawling lake produces quality bass bites as regularly as its location on the Texas/Oklahoma border registers triple-digit temperatures. So, what’s Texoma been up to lately? Try a 21-13 one-day winning weight in a recent Toyota Series event and 19.68 in a Texas Team Trail event, with the big bass of the day clocking in just shy of 7 pounds. The winner of a Spring Series event on Texoma earlier this year checked in with 18 pounds, as well.
20. Falcon Lake, Texas
Falcon continues to produce, however quietly, tucked away on the Rio Grande at the U.S./Mexico border. A January BassChamps event here took 27.88 to win, which included a 8.37 big fish. Interesting enough, the second-place team had 19.86, but the third-place team only landed three fish … but one of them weighed 9.21 pounds. So, Falcon is not back to crushing records like it did a decade ago, but it sure seems like it’s close.
21. Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
It might not be as well-known as some of the powerhouse fisheries down South, but Minnesotans rave about this bass haven, which happens to be the largest lake in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In the season-ending Denny’s Super 30 Bass Tournament last September, a six-bass limit of 24-6 was the winning weight. And in the Champions Tour stop at Minnetonka last year before the long, cold winter settled in, a field of 51 anglers hooked a total of 1,120 largemouth bass, the heaviest weighing a respectable 4-13.
22. Lake O’ The Pines (Big Cypress Creek), Texas
Another Texas lake, you say? You bet. It’s impossible to ignore the numbers that have been coming out of the Lone Star State over the past 12 months, and Lake O’ the Pines is among the most productive of the lot. Highlights include a Media Bass team tournament on March 19 where the winners weighed five bass for 31.6 pounds, and another on March 5 where the winning limit was 28.07. There have been three ShareLunkers caught on Lake O’ the Pines in 2022, as well, including an Elite class fish of 11.80.
23. Lake Erling, Arkansas 
The little lake in southeast Arkansas just across the border from Louisiana has been referred to as a “hidden gem,” meaning the place is great, just not many people have found out about it yet. Social media buzzed last spring when a young angler caught a pair of bucket-mouthed bass, both of the double-digit variety. Reports surfaced online soon after of other anglers who were making similar catches. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports Erling to be among the two leading lakes in the Natural State right now, along with Bull Shoals.
24. Lake D’Arbonne, Louisiana
Another north Louisiana jewel, D’Arbonne has been on the rise thanks to the success of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ stocking program in recent years. A pair of Media Bass team tournaments in March tell the tale, with winning limits of 22.85 and 22.35. Also, victors in an ARKLA Team Trail event earlier this year caught a 22.63 limit, including a 7.28 largemouth heavy.
25. Upper Mississippi River, Wisconsin
“The Big Muddy” isn’t nearly as muddy in the La Crosse, Wis., area as it is way down yonder in New Orleans (or Jackson, Memphis or St. Louis, for that matter). The sprawling watershed is a beautiful sight in its upper stretches, and the quality bass that come from the Mississippi in these parts make it particularly intriguing for anglers. A recent Phoenix Bass Fishing derby in La Crosse was further proof of the river’s productivity. The Top 12 anglers each had at least 15 pounds in a one-day event (3-pound bass on average), with the winner bagging a 17-8 limit.
]]> 1049257 Best Bass Lakes 2022: Northeastern https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2022-northeastern/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:38:21 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1049445
1. St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York
To be completely transparent, this fishery was basically tied with St. Clair in the Northeastern Division up until the moment the Elite Series started weighing in fish this past July. After the ninth bag over 25 pounds hit the scales, eyebrows were raised. After all 90 anglers weighed in on Day 1 and the average limit checked in at 20.90 pounds, jaws hit the floor. To put an exclamation point on the abundance of big fish swimming here now, seven of the Top 10 anglers on the final day weighed more than 25 pounds, with Cory Johnston’s 28-8 bag leading the way. And it certainly didn’t hurt the case for St. Lawrence being the best lake in the country when two anglers (Jay Przekurat and Cory Johnston) topped the 100-pound mark with solely smallmouth, a first-ever feat for the Elite Series.
2. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
St. Clair almost edged out the St. Lawrence River as the top Northeastern fishery due, in part, to how it continues to produce trophy smallmouth throughout the season despite enormous fishing pressure. Of course, the St. Lawrence was not having any of that. Still, Tom Goniea, fishing tournament specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, collected data from 85 tournaments here in 2021 that averaged 36 anglers. Nearly 90% of the bass were smallmouth; the rest were largemouth. The average weight per bass was 3.13 pounds. The average big bass weighed 5.12 pounds, and 1,867 bass over 4 pounds were weighed in. An amateur team championship here in August 2021 yielded limits of more than 20 pounds for 45 of the 222 teams, with a winning weight of 24 pounds and a big bass of 6.15.
3. Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York
“Fast growth and good survival continue to produce relatively high angler catch rates and lots of opportunity to catch trophy-sized fish,” states New York’s Warmwater Fisheries Unit Leader Jeffrey Loukmas. New York’s “Lake Erie 2021 Annual Report” found catch-and-release angling has reduced the smallmouth harvest to only 1% of the overall catch. It typically takes well over 20 pounds to win a one-day, five-bass-limit tournament here.
4. Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
Set between the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondack Mountains of New York, this jewel of a bass fishery teems with largemouth and smallmouth bass. Winning catches often include both species. A mixed bag that totaled 78-5 carried Maryland’s Bryan Schmitt to victory here during a Bassmaster Elite Series event in July 2021. All Top 10 anglers weighed in over 73 pounds. A three-day event with 187 boats in July of that same year produced a winning weight of 61-3 and a big bass that went 5-9.
5. Burt/Mullett Lakes, Michigan 
Statistics compiled by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources make plain that these large sister lakes in Michigan’s lower peninsula continue to produce huge smallmouth bass and good largemouth fishing. The 11 tournaments evaluated for the 2021 season averaged 62.6 anglers per event. Smallmouth comprised 80.5% of the catch. Of the eight tournaments scored by weight, the average bass weighed 4.01. The average big bass weighed 6.24. Three of the tournaments were scored by length. The average length per bass was 14.9 inches, and the average longest bass was 21.4 inches.
6. Lake Erie, Ohio
Winning weights of more than 20 pounds are commonplace in Lake Erie’s western basin. This is particularly true when anglers are allowed to cast into Canadian waters, where bass fishing is not permitted during the spring spawning season. Chunky smallmouth far outnumber the largemouth, although more green ones are beginning to be caught in the big lake, especially from aquatic grass in nearshore areas. A small team tournament in April 2021 on the Ohio side of the lake yielded a winning weight of 26.65, which included the 5.79 big bass. The top three teams all had over 25 pounds.
7. Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan 
Michigan’s lower peninsula is shaped like a mitten. Grand Traverse Bay is the pinky finger. Anglers claim the water is so clear you can see smallmouth bass cruising 20 feet deep on calm days. Many of those bass are bruisers, according to tournament reports compiled by the Michigan DNR. The 15 tournaments held here in 2021 averaged over 27 anglers who weighed in 100% smallmouth bass. The 13 weight-based events produced bass that averaged 3.42, with an average big bass of 5.29. The two length-based tournaments had an average length of 16.1 inches and the longest bass was 20.25 inches.
8. Bays de Noc, Michigan
With so many excellent smallmouth waters in Michigan’s lower peninsula, few bass anglers make the long trek to Bays de Noc in the state’s upper peninsula. Although these waters are renowned for walleye, bass anglers consistently tangle with heavyweight brown bass. The Michigan DNR compiled the results of five small tournaments here in 2021. The three derbies scored by weight yielded an average bass of 3.19, with an average big bass of 5.25. The two tournaments scored by length produced an average length of 15.5 inches with the longest length going 20 inches.
9. Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
Although largemouth swim in Michigan’s third-largest inland lake, smallmouth accounted for 96% of the catch in the 12 tournaments reported to the Michigan DNR in 2021. Trout and salmon are also popular with anglers who ply these pellucid waters. The tournaments drew an average of 38 anglers who caught bass that averaged 2.94 and big bass that averaged 5.22. The smallmouth here typically relate to flats and ledges.
10. Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania
Although it isn’t large, this bay brims with heavy smallmouth in spring when the brown ones trek here from Lake Erie’s central basin to spawn. Most of them vacate the bay after spawning, but there are plentiful largemouth in the bay to keep you busy. “In many ways, the Bay and Erie are inseparable,” said Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Warmwater Unit Leader Robert Lorantas. “If the lake gets too riled up to fish for smallmouth, you can always make use of the Bay. Electrofishing results of lakes across the state show that Presque Isle Bay is one of the most consistent producers of largemouth.”
11. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
Even though it receives heavy fishing pressure and recreational boat traffic, Candlewood produces big-time bass fishing. An open team tournament here in April 2022 attracted 75 boats. With a six-bass limit, the winning team weighed in 32.54, and the Top 20 teams all had over 20 pounds. The biggest largemouth weighed 8.05, with the heaviest smallmouth going 5.18. “I’ve been fishing here almost 30 years,” said Tom Reynolds, a bass addict who owns Reynolds’ Boats in Lyme, Conn. “The last 20 years, smallmouth have been the dominant fish in tournaments. The last two years, largemouth have come on strong. The fishing pressure here must be like Guntersville. It’s a small lake, but it just keeps kicking them out.”
12. Cayuga Lake, New York
Cayuga continues to reign as the best of New York’s glacial Finger Lakes in terms of heavyweight bass. Tournaments are won here with largemouth, smallmouth and mixed bags of both species. Smallmouth dominate tournaments in springtime, and largemouth typically score the heaviest limits thereafter. A boater/nonboater tournament with 125 boats had a great time here in August 2021, with the top seven anglers sacking over 19 pounds, the top four over 20 pounds and the winner weighing in 22-13. The big bass weighed 6-8.
13. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
Over the past several years Smith Mountain has consistently yielded excellent fishing for quality largemouth and smallmouth bass. That this picture-perfect highland reservoir is situated near the Blue Ridge Mountains makes casting here especially joyful. A one-day, 100-boat tournament in April 2022 exhibited the potential of this fabulous bass fishery. The winner sacked 24-6; the big bass weighed 7-11; and every angler in the Top 10 had over 16 pounds.
14. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Nation President John Foster reports that Winnipesaukee is fishing better than it has in 20 years. He suspects that the COVID-19 shutdown two years ago allowed the bass to fatten up. “They’re running about a half-pound heavier than in the past,” he said. He added that several 7-pound bass were caught here in the fall of 2021. A team tournament with 52 boats in May 2021 had a winning weight of 20.92 with a four-bass limit. The Top 10 all had over 12 pounds, and the average weight for all the bass was 2.98. The biggest largemouth weighed 6.31, with the biggest smallmouth going 5.85.
15. China Lake, Maine
“China Lake in central Maine is the most successful lake for tournament fishing in the state,” said Tim Gratto, Maine’s B.A.S.S. Nation president. “It continuously delivers big bags of bass.” The lake’s abundant aquatic growth provides ideal habitat for largemouth and, to a lesser extent, for smallmouth. A tournament here in August 2021 attracted 77 teams that were allowed a seven-bass limit. The winning team weighed in 29.04, and 16 teams had over 20 pounds. The big bass weighed 5.91.
16. Great Pond, Maine
This lake is one of the largest bodies of water in the world classified as a pond. Its deep, rocky habitat supports a bountiful population of smallmouth bass that keep anglers coming back for more. Quality largemouth also frequent the waters of this scenic lake. It took 30.44 to win a 20-team tournament here in April 2022 that had a seven-bass limit. Every team sacked over 19 pounds, and the big bass weighed 6.45.
17. Green River Lake, Kentucky
Green River has been on a high for several years, asserted David Baker, district biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The top three to five boats typically have 20-pound bags dominated by big largemouth,” he said. “You can also catch a kicker smallmouth or Kentucky spotted bass there.” A tournament here in March 2022 that drew 43 teams reinforces Baker’s comments. The winning team sacked 24.22 which included a 6.80 largemouth. Several other heavy limits were also brought to the scales.
18. Oneida Lake, New York
Oneida continues to produce quality bass for anglers who venture here. Although tournaments are won with largemouth, smallmouth rule this roost. A few ounces typically move an angler up or down several places in major events because limits of similar-size bass are so commonplace. A Bassmaster Open in July 2021 produced a winning weight of 52-3, and the Top 9 anglers all weighed in over 40 pounds.
19. Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
Many of Maine’s largest bass have been caught from these waters, which are especially conducive to growing heavyweight largemouth. This picturesque lake has 62 miles of shoreline and many glacial coves, jetties and islands. An annual Special Olympics fundraising tournament in late April 2022 confirmed that Cobbosseecontee continues to yield excellent bass fishing. It took a 24.01-pound, seven-bass limit to win the event. The Top 9 teams all had over 20 pounds. The biggest largemouth weighed 6.99, with the best smallmouth going 3.72.
20. Upper Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
This tidal fishery is worth a visit whenever you can get here, but you’ll fare better with heavy largemouth in springtime. A boater/nonboater tournament in April 2021 attracted 149 boats. The winner sacked 21-5, and the Top 10 anglers all had over 17 pounds. The big bass weighed 6-11. However, the Upper Chesapeake can be feast or famine. Sixty anglers in that event failed to weigh in a bass.
21. Potomac River, Maryland/Virginia
The diverse bass habitat on this historic tidal river consistently yields limit catches for tournament anglers. Spring tournaments are especially productive, such as the single-day, boater/nonboater event in April 2022 that hosted 158 boats. A 19-6 limit took first place, and the Top 15 all had over 15 pounds. An 8-2 largemouth claimed the big bass award. Only 17 anglers failed to weigh in a bass.
22. Saginaw Bay, Michigan
With 18 tournaments reported to the Michigan DNR in 2021, the sample size for Saginaw Bay is considerably larger than in the past. Although nearly three-quarters of the bass weighed in were smallmouth, largemouth hold their own in the aquatic vegetation nearshore. The average bass weighed 2.36, with an average big bass of 4.48. However, the massive bay is capable of more impressive results. A Bassmaster High School team event here in 2021 yielded a winning limit of 23-4. Second and third place also had over 20 pounds.
23. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
With strong populations of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, Cumberland provides a unique opportunity to tussle with all three on any given day. Tournaments here may be won with smallmouth, largemouth or a mixed bag of all three species. However, heavy limits and trophy bass are not typical here. An event in May 2021 that drew 154 boats produced a winning weight of 15-1 and a big bass of 4-15. Every angler in the top 10 weighed in more than 12 pounds.
24. Kentucky Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee
A record spawn in 2016 may have Kentucky and Barkley lakes on the path to their former glory. “It takes about five years for a bass to reach 15 inches,” said Adam Martin, sportfish biologist for western Kentucky. “[In 2021], a lot of those 2016 fish were keepers. This year, there are more 3- and some 4-pound bass. It’s good to see anglers weighing in five fish consistently.” The Asian carp invasion appears to be influencing where bass feed. The shallow bite has been more productive, even during summer, when ledge fishing had been dominant in the past, Martin added.
25. Chautauqua Lake, New York
Although Chautauqua is the biggest lake in western New York, it usually doesn’t attract tournaments with large fields. However, small events take full advantage of the lake’s excellent largemouth and smallmouth fishing. Seventeen teams competed in a Western New York Bassmasters Team Trail event in June 2021. The winning team weighed in 19.76, and the big bass, a largemouth, went 5.71. Second place dropped to 15.70, and every angler brought bass to the scales.
]]> 1049445 Best Bass Lakes 2022: Southeastern https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2022-southeastern/ Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:30:51 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1049457
1. Fellsmere Reservoir/Stick Marsh/Kenansville Lake, Florida
 If you ask bass fishing legend Roland Martin to tell you the best bass lake in his home state of Florida, he will quickly answer “Headwaters.” If you aren’t a local, you may not know that Headwaters is another name for Fellsmere Reservoir (some even call it Lake Egan). The confusion is likely purposeful, as Floridians want to keep this fishery a secret for as long as possible. But, the secret is most definitely out. If you add up the number of bass over 8 pounds caught on this man-made bass paradise this year, it will almost triple every other fishery in the state (if you don’t include Rodman). This lake was designed by the state of Florida to be an ultimate destination for bass anglers, and they succeeded. And because it is just a long cast away from Stick Marsh (seven bass over 10 pounds in 2022) and Kenansville (three bass over 8 pounds in 2022), you could spend a very fruitful vacation week plying these waters for the bass of a lifetime.
2. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina
There is something special in the water at these sister lakes. Seldom do they fall out of the Top 10 in the nation in these rankings, and for good reason. At a May Carolina Anglers Team Tournament Trail (CATT) event this year, it took 29.07 to win a one-day derby. That is impressive. However, the April CATT derby was even better, as 31.12 took the top prize while 29.93 settled for second. An 8.33 took big-bass honors. Of the dozen events we considered when looking at the data on this lake, never did it take less than 25 pounds to win a one-day derby. When you add the ancient

3. Lake Istokpoga, Florida
If Fellsmere wasn’t on absolute fire this year, a case could be made for this lake to be one of the best in the Sunshine State. A February event here held by Xtreme Bass Series saw 30.04 take home the trophy. And an April event required 29.16 to capture the first-place check. In that event, an 8.33-pounder took big-fish honors. Most recently, a May derby here took 28.38 to win (20-man field, five teams brought in over 20 pounds) with a 9.39 big bass. According to Florida TrophyCatch data, 22 fish over 8 pounds have been registered from here, with an 11-4 being the biggest. The name of this lake references “a lake where someone was killed in the water.” Right now, it’s the bass anglers who are killing it.
4. Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida
We normally look at results from adult tournaments when trying to identify the quality of a fishery. However, the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series event held here in January was mind-blowing. The team from Stephen F. Austin State University brought 29 pounds to the scales on Day 2. Then the team from Emmanuel College brought 29-11 to the scales. Then the team from Kentucky Christian University brought 36-7 on stage! This was certainly a better-than-normal day for this chain of lakes, but it shows you the incredible potential.
5. Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
It has been a hot minute since this historic fishery has made the rankings. The site of the world record smallmouth catch last broke the Top 100 in 2016. Something has sparked the growth of bass in this border lake, as results from a three-day Toyota Series event held here in March were impressive. It took over 21 pounds a day to win; 18 limits topped 20 pounds; and a 25-3 limit was brought to the scales. Although most of the fish brought to the scales were largemouth, a couple of stud smallies were in the mix. I don’t think the world record brown bass still swims there, but you could certainly catch your personal best.
6. Rodman Reservoir, Florida
In looking at tournament data, this lake has been either amazing or above average. An Xtreme Bass Series derby held here in February saw a winning weight of 34.04, while a June event took only 23.09 to grab the top spot. However, if you look at the Florida TrophyCatch data, more than 50 fish over 8 pounds have been caught and released here. The biggest (and biggest fish recorded that we could find in the entire state) was 13-8. So, if you are trophy hunting, this should be your huckleberry.
7. Lake Guntersville, Alabama 
An average day here is typically a great day anywhere else. No, the Big G is not as good as it once was, but it is heading that way. After a few lackluster years, this historically awesome lake is looking like itself again. A June Alabama Bass Trail event saw 24.57 take the top spot, but the Top 11 teams all had over 20 pounds. A 7.35 won big-bass honors. Another event held here in May also saw 25 pounds win the day, with the Top 11 having over 20 pounds. So, Guntersville is healthy and appears to be getting healthier.
8. Jordan Reservoir, North Carolina
If you ask the state fisheries biologists for the best lake in this state, this is the one they’d point you to. This lake has been left in its natural state, with an undeveloped shoreline and pristine natural surroundings. This fishery really showed out last year, cracking the Top 10 in the nation in these rankings. The data wasn’t there to support that this year, but Jordan is still producing impressive limits. In a March CATT event, it took 24.66 to win, while 19 pounds claimed second place. However, big bass was a 9.12, which is a fish of a lifetime for North Carolinians. Plus three other bass over 7 pounds were weighed in.
9. Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida
Although this central Florida fishery has put up more impressive numbers in years past, it still continues to produce incredible limits and big fish. An Xtreme Bass Series event held here in April (well after the spawn) was won with 26.09, and three fish over 7 pounds were caught. A look at the Florida TrophyCatch program shows only six bass over 10 pounds coming from this fishery this year, but the biggest topped the 11-pound mark.
10. Falls Lake, North Carolina
Also referred to as “Falls of the Neuse” due to the fact that it extends up the Neuse River by 28 miles, this lake is ranked second in the state for bass fishing, according to the North Carolina DNR. When looking at some of the winning weights, it’s easy to see why. An April CATT derby here took 26.63 to win, and a Piedmont Bass Classics event required 23 pounds to take first place. In that event, three fish over 7 pounds were weighed. This isn’t a big lake, but the surroundings are heavenly and the fishing is stellar.

11. Lake Okeechobee, Florida
The Big O is back! Now, it’s not kicking out giant limits like it was a decade ago. However, 25-pound limits are again common. An American Bass Anglers event held here in May saw 25.52 pounds win, which included a 7-pound kicker. The organization’s January event required 25.03 to win. According to Florida’s TrophyCatch data, only one fish over 10 pounds has been landed this year, but it seems this storied lake is on the verge of busting wide open.
12. Lake Seminole, Georgia/Florida
If you didn’t bring 21 pounds to the scales this year at this legendary fishery, you were not going to win. In a Reel Money Team Trail event held in May, 21 pounds wouldn’t have even put you on the podium. It took 26.14 to win that derby, which included a 7.31 big bass. Georgia DNR still ranks Seminole as the best fishery in the state. If you plan a trip here, be sure to swing by Jack Wingate’s lodge for a little taste of bass fishing history.
13. High Rock Lake, North Carolina
We just thought this ancient fishery was showing out last year when it secured the 18th spot in these rankings. However, weights were even more impressive this year! At a Carolina Bass Challenge event held this past March, nine limits surpassed the 20-pound mark, with 23.45 taking home the gold. Even more impressive, a 9.24-pound fish won the big bass award, a monster for a North Carolina largemouth. Unlike most fisheries, this lake seems to be getting better with age.
14. Lake Lanier, Georgia
Missing the rankings in 2021, this popular recreational lake outside of Atlanta acted like it had something to prove this year. It has always been an impressive spotted bass fishery, but it may be the best spotted bass lake in the country right now. At an American Bass Anglers Open Series event held here in February, the winning bag, all spotted bass, weighed 24.86 pounds! Yes, all spots. The big fish was a 6.13-pounder. If you are looking to break your personal best spot, this is the lake to visit, and you will likely have a bend in your rod more often than not.
15. Wheeler Lake, Alabama
This Tennessee River fishery is just as fertile as two other lakes on this list that get a lot more attention (Guntersville and Pickwick). For some reason, it doesn’t get the press. Well, press or not, it delivers big bass to anglers willing to forego the better-known lakes. An Alabama Bass Trail event held here in May was won with 24.27 pounds, with five other teams topping the 20-pound mark. Forty-two teams weighed in more than 15 pounds. A 6.25 took big-fish honors.
16. Pickwick Lake, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee 
During the June Elite Series event held on this border lake, 17 limits exceeding 20 pounds hit the scales, with Brandon Lester’s 22-14 on the final day leading the pack. Actually, Lester led the pack almost all four days, as he caught more than 20 pounds every day of competition, winning with 86-1. The amazing thing is that some 20-pound limits included giant smallmouth right alongside bruiser largemouth. Although the data from Pickwick is not quite as eye-popping as it was last year, the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation still ranks it as the best lake in the state.
17. Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi
We didn’t have to look far for data supporting the inclusion of this Magnolia State fishery. A Bassmaster Central Open held here in April featured five-fish limits weighing 25-12 and 26-9! Of the lakes monitored by the Mississippi Bass Tournament Program, Ross Barnett is second only to Pickwick for the number of bass caught during tournament days (4,497 fish during 37 events). Of the 10 heaviest bass limits caught in the state, five came from Pickwick and four came from Ross Barnett. The largest of them all was from Ross Barnett (29.28 pounds). So, yes, this body of water is a serious player!
18. Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee
The weather was a little funky when the Elite Series visited this big-bass factory in April. Still, 16 limits topped the 20-pound mark over the four-day event. Chick is a fickle beast, though, as can be seen by the efforts of Elite angler Matty Wong. He brought only 10-9 to the scales on Day 1 but then caught the event’s biggest limit, 25-13, on Day 2. But, giants swim in this lake. Elite pro Pat Schlapper heaved a 10-5 onto the scales on Day 1, and several other double-digit fish were caught during practice. This fishery can be feast or famine, but the feast times could be life-altering.
19. Lake Hartwell, South Carolina
If you were one of the 155,000 attendees at the recent Bassmaster Classic, you already know this lake is full of bass. While only two anglers cracked the 20-pound barrier during the world championship, winner Jason Christie averaged over 18 pounds a day. A 5 Alive event held here last November took 26.43 to take the trophy, so a better-than-5-pound average is doable. For a little icing on this bass fishing cake, be sure to launch out of Green Pond Landing, which may be the best facility on the face of the earth for bass anglers.
20. Lake Murray, South Carolina
Just about every tournament record we could find showed that it takes no less than 21 pounds to win a one-day derby here, no matter the time of year. The data also showed that you don’t need much more than that, either. Topping the list of five-fish limits was a CATT event here in April won with 23.20 pounds. Scads of 4- and 5-pound fish were weighed. This is not the land of giants, but it is ripe with better-than-average largemouth.
21. Lake Ferguson, Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife does an amazing study every year to quantify the health of its bass fisheries. The annual report of this Bass Tournament Program boiled down data from 297 derbies held in the state last year. Of the 37 lakes reported on, this fishery earned the highest marks in several categories. The average first-place weight out of the six events held here was 20.47 pounds, ranking first. The average weight of all bass caught (895) was 2.65 pounds. This oxbow lake off the Mississippi River offers a unique angling experience and is chock-full of fish.
22. Roanoke Rapids Lake, North Carolina
A hearty welcome to this newcomer on the rankings! This little gem situated in the northeast corner of the state has been showing out for the CATT competitors. A June event held here took 21.82 to win, but seven other teams out of the 17 entered brought more than 18 pounds to the scales. Five bass over 4 1/2 pounds were weighed. This lake is best known for its striper fishing in the fall, which somehow overshadows the incredible largemouth opportunities available here.
23. Bay Springs Lake, Mississippi
The state has done an amazing job turning this little reservoir on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway into an excellent bass fishery. Intense Florida largemouth stocking since 2009 (the most recent being in 2019) has boosted the trophy potential immensely. A Fishers of Men derby held this past April saw multiple fish over 5 pounds weighed in, and it took almost 20 pounds to win the tournament. Because there are also smallmouth and spotted bass here, you never know exactly what species you are setting the hook on.
24. Lake Eufaula, Alabama/Georgia
There have been years when this lake produced some whopper limits. This is not that year. Still, average winning weights have been between 19 and 23 pounds. According to the Georgia DNR, Eufaula is considered the second-best bass fishing lake in the state behind Seminole. Although catch rates are down a little, the big-fish average is still over 6 pounds. So, on any given cast you can expect a stud largemouth.
25. Douglas Lake, Tennessee
When asked to rank the lakes in their state, we found it interesting that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency named this fishery as the state’s best. When looking at tournament results, it doesn’t match up to Chick or Pickwick. Most of the one-day winning weights hover around the 17-pound mark. But, Douglas is very fertile, and the population of bass here is tremendous. So, if you want to catch a bunch, including a few smallmouth, with your surroundings being very easy on the eyes, this is the place for you. 
]]> 1049457 Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2022 https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/top-10-best-bass-lakes-of-2022/ Wed, 07 Sep 2022 19:59:49 +0000 https://www.bassmaster.com/?post_type=photo-gallery&p=1049613
All fisheries have peaks and valleys, dips and surges. Here, you will see the results  of recent data on the best fisheries in the country.  Yes, the rankings are in, and there are surprises in store
 
As projects for Bassmaster Magazine go, ranking the Top 100 lakes in the nation is by far our most ambitious. For over a decade now, we have sifted through the thousands of bass fisheries across the nation to bring to you the cream of the crop. We know most anglers have precious little time to pursue their favorite gamefish, so our goal is to point you to the most productive water near your home (or across the nation, if you are up for a road trip), so that your time is spent with rod bent.

This week, enjoy the Top 10 Best Bass Lakes, and in the coming weeks we will highlight each region of the country.
1. St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands) New York
To be completely transparent, this fishery was basically tied with St. Clair in the Northeastern Division up until the moment the Elite Series started weighing in fish this past July. After the ninth bag over 25 pounds hit the scales, eyebrows were raised. After all 90 anglers weighed in on Day 1 and the average limit checked in at 20.90 pounds, jaws hit the floor. To put an exclamation point on the abundance of big fish swimming here now, seven of the Top 10 anglers on the final day weighed more than 25 pounds, with Cory Johnston’s 28-8 bag leading the way. And it certainly didn’t hurt the case for St. Lawrence being the best lake in the country when two anglers (Jay Przekurat and Cory Johnston) topped the 100-pound mark with solely smallmouth, a first-ever feat for the Elite Series. 
2. O.H. Ive Lake, Texas
Oh my, O.H. Ivie! Seems like only last year (Hint: It was.) that Ivie crept into the national spotlight with a 10-day stretch in February that produced six Legacy ShareLunkers weighing more than 13 pounds and a five-bass stringer that totaled a mind-boggling 60 pounds. The central Texas reservoir hasn’t let up one bit since those eye-poppers, with 11 Legacy ShareLunkers reported through early May 2022, including beasts of 17.06 and 16.10 pounds caught within a week of one another in late February/early March. Two more ShareLunker Legends (13-pounders caught from April through December) came from Ivie this year, as well as 19 more Elite ShareLunkers (10 to 12.99 pounds) and nine more that weighed 8 to 9.99 pounds or measured 24 inches long. Make no mistake, the O.H. Ivie bass are proving things really are bigger in Texas. 
3. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California
The record drought taking place in the West sadly continues to add to a long list of adverse impacts. From drinking water shortages to public health issues, the implications are far-reaching. The long-term consequences for bass anglers are unclear. In the short term, however, the resulting reduction in outflows through the California Delta’s myriad rivers, tule-lined sloughs and flooded islands are having a positive effect on the largemouth community. With the system’s already big fish getting even bigger thanks to increases in vegetation and prey, these tidal waters remain one of the best fisheries in the nation. It took five bass averaging almost 7 pounds apiece to win an early April Best Bass Tournament Trail event. Big fish at that one went 10.04. At the end of the month, at a two-day NewJen Bass contest, pros and amateurs weighed in 30 largemouth over 6 pounds. The winning pro locked up the victory by bringing 39.37 pounds to the scales on the second day of competition.
4. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
St. Clair almost edged out the St. Lawrence River as the top Northeastern fishery due, in part, to how it continues to produce trophy smallmouth throughout the season despite enormous fishing pressure. Of course, the St. Lawrence was not having any of that. Still, Tom Goniea, fishing tournament specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, collected data from 85 tournaments here in 2021 that averaged 36 anglers. Nearly 90% of the bass were smallmouth; the rest were largemouth. The average weight per bass was 3.13 pounds. The average big bass weighed 5.12 pounds, and 1,867 bass over 4 pounds were weighed in. An amateur team championship here in August 2021 yielded limits of more than 20 pounds for 45 of the 222 teams, with a winning weight of 24 pounds and a big bass of 6.15. 
5. Fellsmere Reservoir/Stick Marsh/Kenansville Lake, Florida


If you ask bass fishing legend Roland Martin to tell you the best bass lake in his home state of Florida, he will quickly answer “Headwaters.” If you aren’t a local, you may not know that Headwaters is another name for Fellsmere Reservoir (some even call it Lake Egan). The confusion is likely purposeful, as Floridians want to keep this fishery a secret for as long as possible. But, the secret is most definitely out. If you add up the number of bass over 8 pounds caught on this man-made bass paradise this year, it will almost triple every other fishery in the state (if you don’t include Rodman). This lake was designed by the state of Florida to be an ultimate destination for bass anglers, and they succeeded. And because it is just a long cast away from Stick Marsh (seven bass over 10 pounds in 2022) and Kenansville (three bass over 8 pounds in 2022), you could spend a very fruitful vacation week plying these waters for the bass of a lifetime.
6. Clear Lake, California
With more trophy largemouth weighed in here than at any other Western lake or reservoir, the Golden State’s largest natural body of water remains the ultimate big-bass factory. Clear Lake provides ample opportunities for not only the fish of a lifetime, but for limits of every angler’s dreams. It took an 8- to 10-pound bass to claim big-fish honors at 60% of the tournaments surveyed this year. That includes 47 bags over 20 pounds during a Wild West Bass Trail Pro-Am in March. Big fish was a 10.88-pound bruiser.
7. Lake Fork, Texas
The top-ranked Central Division bass lake in 2021 falls to second-best this year, but it doesn’t fall far at all. The big-bass hot spot just east of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has produced the second-most ShareLunkers (14) in the state this year, including one that tipped the scales at 12.30 pounds. Everyone, from pros to weekend warriors, knows Lake Fork is one of America’s finest fisheries. B.A.S.S. knows Fork is where it’s at, too, with 2022 marking the fourth consecutive year the Elite Series paid a visit.
8. Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York
 “Fast growth and good survival continue to produce relatively high angler catch rates and lots of opportunity to catch trophy-sized fish,” states New York’s Warmwater Fisheries Unit Leader Jeffrey Loukmas. New York’s “Lake Erie 2021 Annual Report” found catch-and-release angling has reduced the smallmouth harvest to only 1% of the overall catch. It typically takes well over 20 pounds to win a one-day, five-bass-limit tournament here. 
9. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
Don’t mess with Sam. Always among the nation’s best bass lakes (No. 1 in 2018 and No. 3 in 2019), Rayburn is enjoying a typical year in 2022, meaning it’s a bonanza compared to just about everywhere else. As of early May, eight ShareLunkers had come from the east Texas giant, including a 14.38-pound whopper largemouth hooked in early March. An 11.10 heavy won an angler $110,000 in cash and prizes at the Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash in late April.
10. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina
There is something special in the water at these sister lakes. Seldom do they fall out of the Top 10 in the nation in these rankings, and for good reason. At a May Carolina Anglers Team Tournament Trail (CATT) event this year, it took 29.07 to win a one-day derby. That is impressive. However, the April CATT derby was even better, as 31.12 took the top prize while 29.93 settled for second. An 8.33 took big-bass honors. Of the dozen events we considered when looking at the data on this lake, never did it take less than 25 pounds to win a one-day derby. When you add the ancient cypress trees standing sentinel throughout castable bass waters and world-class sunrises, this South Carolina jewel is a must-add atop your bucket list.
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