Bass are iconic fish among freshwater anglers. They’re smart, cunning creatures, with interesting behavioral patterns that make them fun and challenging to catch. And since they’re widespread across the US, it comes as no surprise that they’re popular. If you, like many others, simply can’t get enough of Bass, read on. In this article, we’ll present you with the 10 best Bass fishing destinations in the US.
Of course, the definition of “best” changes depending on what criteria you look at. Some waters are better for trophy fishing, while others offer amazing numbers. Or, you could consider how accessible the best fishing spots are, and whether you have to have a boat or not. What we’re trying to say is – the lakes you’ll see might not tick every single box you could think of. However, they’re all amazingly fun and productive places to catch Bass.
Lake Kissimmee, FL
We’ll kick off our list with Lake Kissimmee. Located about an hour and a half south of Orlando, Kissimmee is a scenic lake that’s absolutely packed with Bass. Whether you’re looking for trophy fish or numbers and non-stop action, these waters are sure to deliver.
As with most lakes in Florida, Largemouth Bass dominate these fishing grounds. It’s possible to catch them year-round, though winter and spring are typically considered the peak times to fish Lake Kissimmee. If you visit during summertime, head out early to beat the heat. Make sure to fish in deeper waters to get plenty of bites.
If you’re going out with a guide, they’ll let you know the ins and outs, but shiners are the bait of choice on Lake Kissimmee. Most trophy-sized Bass out here are caught using either shiners or other live bait. Of course, artificials also work, and they’re especially great if you want to catch as many fish as possible.
Lake Okeechobee, FL
Another entry from Florida, Lake Okeechobee is an amazingly productive lake for anyone looking to hook into some Largies. It’s the state’s biggest lake, giving lots of room for Bass to thrive. Meanwhile, the vast expanse of the lake – comprising calm waters, wetlands, mangroves, and coastal vegetation – will provide you with the perfect backdrop to cast your line.
Bass grow to excellent sizes in Lake Okeechobee. It’s not uncommon to hook into fish weighing over 7 pounds, with some lunkers weighing over 12 pounds! There’s also an incredible number of smaller fish in the 1–3-pound range, making Okeechobee a great learning lake for amateur anglers.
Similarly to Lake Kissimmee, the best seasons on the “Big O” are winter and spring. It’s when the Bass will be lurking close to shore, making it easier to pinpoint their location. Summer can also be very productive. However, you’ll often have to fish around the heat and look for cooler waters with current or cover.
Lake Fork, TX
Holding the Texas state record for Largemouth Bass, an 18.18 lb beast caught in 1992, Lake Fork is the go-to destination if you’re looking to land yourself a lunker. In fact, the six heaviest Largies ever caught in Lone Star Stare were all reeled in from these waters. And to this day, the lake remains one of the top Bass fishing destinations in the entire US.
Largemouth Bass are the most abundant in Lake Fork, but if you’re looking for more variety, you’ll also find Spotted, White, and Hybrid Striped Bass in the lake. When it comes to Largemouth Bass, you’ll have a shot at reeling in fish weighing over 10 pounds pretty much every time your bait hits the water!
There’s action on the lake throughout the year. However, most anglers favor the colder parts of the year – fall, winter, and spring – compared to summer. The prime months for catching trophy Bass are March, April, and May, when the big females are staging before the spawn.
Lake Murray, SC
Dubbed the “Jewel of the South” because of its incredible beauty, Lake Murray is one of South Carolina’s most beloved lakes. It’s a pleasant, family-friendly destination that also doubles as a scorching hot Bass fishery.
In particular, Lake Murray is famous for the big Largemouth that swim in its waters. If you look at stats like tournament totals, you’ll see that this lake is one of those places where netting a 20 lb total isn’t guaranteed to position you highly. On the contrary, there have been tournaments where over a dozen anglers broke the 20 lb mark! If you’re not too versed in tournament lingo, this means you’ll have a good chance of catching big fish.
Generally, the best Bass fishing on Lake Murray takes place in spring, when the fish are concentrated in the shallows. Fall is almost as good, though you’ll often have to do more searching before you lock onto the bite. In winter and summer, the fish typically move deeper. But between the two seasons, Bass will be a lot more active in summertime compared to when it gets cold.
Lake Seminole, GA/FL
Sitting in the very southeast of Georgia, on its border with Florida, Lake Seminole is a peaceful destination with a rural atmosphere and charming natural scenery. The lake boasts diverse vegetation, including lily pads, hydrilla beds, and several different types of grass, all of which provide a fantastic habitat for Bass.
Largemouth Bass is the species that draws in most tournament anglers to the lake. Trophy-sized fish, usually ranging between 8 and 10 pounds, are caught every year in these waters, while the average Bass will fall somewhere between 2 and 5 pounds. For some more variety, Lake Seminole is also an excellent Striped Bass fishery.
Just like most destinations in this part of the US, the best Bass fishing on Lake Seminole takes place during the cooler months of the year, anywhere from fall through spring. There’ll be fish biting during summer, too, it’s just that the heat pushes them deeper into the lake.
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Nicknamed the “Missouri Dragon” because of its winding shape, Lake of the Ozarks is Missouri’s most popular freshwater destination. It’s a favorite among tourists looking for some much-deserved rest and relaxation, as well as anglers.
When it comes to fishing, Lake of the Ozarks provides a home to a number of species. These include Catfish, Crappie, as well as Spotted and Largemouth Bass. In recent years, the lake has enjoyed high catch rates for Bass, albeit with fewer trophy-sized fish being reeled in. Still, it remains an excellent fishery and a beloved venue for tournament anglers.
If you’re wondering what lures to bring, go for colors such as green pumpkin, watermelon red flake, or white, pearl, or silver when the waters are mostly clear. In stained or muddy waters, chartreuse, black and blue, and craw tend to work best.
Lake St. Clair, MI
So far, the places we’ve covered were all waters where you can hook into Largemouth Bass. Compared to that, Lake St. Clair, which lies just west of Detroit and its namesake river, is predominantly a Smallmouth fishery.
Smallmouth Bass offer a harder battle than their Largemouth counterparts, but there are generally not too many places out there where they can truly grow big. On Lake St. Clair, however, these tough-fighting fish thrive and reach sizes at which they’ll genuinely be able to give you a good challenge. Smallies weighing over 5 pounds are fairly common, while the average fish will fall between 2 and 3 pounds.
Although Smallmouth Bass are more plentiful, Lake St. Clair also has healthy populations of Largemouth swimming about. Bass fishing on the lake is fantastic from spring to mid-fall, while anglers visiting during winter will have to settle for ice fishing for delicious Yellow Perch.
California Delta, CA
The California Delta is a sprawling network of rivers, streams, marshes, and sloughs located just east of Suisun Bay and northeast of San Francisco. These waterways, formed primarily by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, hold amazing populations of Bass, with the quality of fishing often beating even the most famous fisheries to the east.
Throughout the Delta, you’ll find both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, although the former of the two are more abundant. There’s ample cover, including weeds and various submerged structures, which create an ideal living environment for Bass. As for the biggest Largemouth caught here – it was a giant that weighed in at 18.62 pounds! The same waters also hold the Bassmaster tournament record, for a 14.5 lb behemoth caught in 1999.
It’s possible to fish these waters year-round, but the conditions are more favorable from spring through fall than in winter. Also, while you may be able to tackle most lakes on your own if you have the know-how, we recommend pairing up with a guide to explore the labyrinthian waterways of the California Delta.
O.H. Ivie Lake, TX
As we near the end of our list, we head back to Texas and another one of its epic Bass fishing destinations. O.H. Ivie is a reservoir on the Colorado River, found about an hour east of San Angelo, in the very heart of Texas. In recent years, it’s been one of the most popular tournament venues for Bass anglers.
The reason why there’s so much hype around O.H. Ivie is simple – there’s some really big Bass in it. In fact, it’s likely the best Largemouth fishing lake in the entire US right now. Cast your line in these waters, and you’ll have a better shot at catching double-digit Bass than almost anywhere else.
A true testament to that is the fact that you can catch lunkers on the lake pretty much the entire year. Even in winter, Bass over 10 pounds are regularly caught. However, the period between spring and fall is when most anglers tend to visit O.H. Ivie Lake.
St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), NY
O.H. Ivie is probably the best Largemouth lake at the moment, we’ve established that. But if you’re looking for Smallies, the Thousand Islands portion of the St. Lawrence River is the place to be.
Straddling the border between New York and Ontario, Thousand Islands is an archipelago consisting of over 1,800 islands, creating scenery that’s almost otherworldly in its beauty. Meanwhile, the cold, flowing waters of the St. Lawrence River hide the most thrilling Bass fishing you could hope to come across.
Smallmouths weighing between 3 and 5 pounds are common catches here, which is an average not too many other destinations can compete with. Of course, there are even bigger Bass swimming about, with some reaching over 8 pounds. The peak season to catch yourself a “Biggie Smalls” in St. Lawrence River is in June and July.
Where Lunkers Roam
And so, we come to the end of our list of the best Bass fishing destinations in the US. Of course, we’re well aware that there are numerous other rivers and lakes we could have written about. But if you’re searching for a place to beat your personal best, consider visiting the places we just covered. And if you want to maximize your chances of catching a trophy, there are plenty of guides who’ll show you how!
How did you enjoy our list of the best Bass fishing destinations in the US? Would you add any places to it? Let us know in the comments below!
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