April 08, 2014
By Game & Fish Online Staff
Now that we've rounded up the top 10 states for bass fishing in America , we thought we'd break it down further, state-by-state, and show you where to find those lunkers that you've spent all winter dreaming about. We've talked to biologists and experts and found out the hottest places for spring bass fishing in your state, as well as what tactics to use and even the best bass gear options .
Alabama
According to research by fisheries biologist, past tournament results and angler comments, 2014 is shaping up to be great year for bass fishing in Alabama. Across the state, anglers are preparing to begin their yearly fishing season, and March is the perfect month to launch a fishing trip.
Arkansas Every pocket of water holds a hungry bass just waiting to smack your favorite lure. They teem in every lake, pond, river, stream and bayou. In some places, you can even catch them in irrigation ditches. We all have our favorite destinations, but why not branch out and fish some new places this year? Here's a little primer to help you plan a month-long milk run of hotspots.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Arkansas.
Arizona
Black bass reign supreme as the most sought-after game fish in America and also the most aggressive. With voracious appetites and short tempers, black bass readily feed on small fish, crayfish, worms, lizards, insects, mice, small birds and frogs — anything they can get into their large mouths. Primarily considered residents of the Midwest and Southeast, bass also call the lakes of the southwestern U.S. home, and fishermen pursue them with great zeal. Bass are usually found in and around cover, typically hiding next to logs, docks, underwater ridges, submerged brush and rocks, or near abrupt drop-offs.
California (Northern) Ah, Northern California! I get excited every time I plan a bass-fishing trip up north. I'm a Southern California fisherman by residence; a California fisherman in heart and soul. I love Northern California for the seasons, the beautiful scenery, and of course, the fishing. I'm excited by the fact that you can catch several subspecies of bass and enjoy a getaway vacation at the same time. You can pursue smallmouth that fight like little freight trains, spotted bass that seem to school in the hundreds as you just keep reeling them in, and the largemouth — the true lunker of all the subspecies.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Northern California.
California (Southern) Well, anglers, I predicted the year of the big fish, and none of the lakes let us down. In fact, a lot of lakes I didn't even touch on were leaders on the list of what impoundment could put out the most big largemouth. As I have said before, it comes in cycles and this past year was definitely on an upswing. I think it will continue this season as well. No matter the lake, this year should be another great time for big bass.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in SoCal in 2014.
Colorado Centennial State bass anglers have a corner on the market. Because the state's biggest draws are big-game and bird hunting, trout fishing and skiing, Colorado's exceptional bass fishingopportunities often fly under the radar — but not anymore! Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Colorado.
Connecticut
Bass in most Nutmeg State waters are managed through statewide regulations (a standard 12-inch minimum length limit, 6-fish possession limit). However, in Bass Management lakes a special length and creel limits designed to improve fishing are in place. Many Bass Management lakes have 12- to 16-inch slot length limits, which mean that bass below 12 inches and above 16 inches may be harvested, but none within the 'slot ' (12-16 inches).
Delaware There are over 40 selected bass ponds in the First State that are presently being managed for improved bass fishing. The Delaware's Public Ponds booklet provides, maps, management strategies, electro-shocking survey results and more information of interest to Delaware's growing contingent of bass fishermen. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Delaware.
Florida
No State in the Union, or for that matter any country in the world, offers the quality of largemouth bass fishing that Florida routinely provides. And, few Florida residents are more than a short drive from it.
But, some lakes are more productive than others due to current water levels, previous spawning cycles, and a number of other factors. If you're looking for the best the Sunshine State has to offer bass anglers, here are six lakes to keep in mind this year.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Florida in 2014.
Georgia Want to catch some bass this year? What fisherman doesn't? But those of us in Georgia can get confused. We can go after numbers of bass or try for a trophy. And there are several of the eight subspecies of black bass in our state. We have a lot of choices. But most of us are happy to do a lot of bass fishing in Georgia, and maybe have a chance of putting one on the wall.
Iowa Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Iowa in 2014.
Idaho There's plenty of bass fishing in Idaho. There are some 20 major lakes with populations of bass from American Falls Reservoir to Spirit Lake. The Idaho state-record largemouth was caught at Anderson Lake and the record smallmouth came from Dworshak Reservoir.
Illinois Every year about this time, bass anglers really start getting antsy. The looming spawn creates a buzz of adrenalin in every bass angler just thinking about all those tight lines and screaming drags. It is almost here. There's a lot of excitement around bass fishing in Illinois.
There is a lot to buzz about here in the Prairie State. With the bevy of great fishing opportunities ranging from small ponds to big reservoirs, streams and rivers, there is a bass fishing opportunity waiting to whet the appetite of most any angler, casual or pro.
Indiana Overall, Hoosier bass anglers have a lot to be excited about this year. Not only is some exciting spring fishing knocking at the door, but fisheries across the state are in good shape and anglers can anticipate some great days on the water this season. Also, there is some exciting stuff going on in the northern part of the state with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Division, according to Jeremy Price, the North Region Fisheries supervisor.
Kansas
The Kansas state-record largemouth is 11 pounds, 12 ounces. Most of the biggest fish are caught in state fishing lakes, which are intensely managed for quality bass fishing year-round. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Kansas.
Kentucky Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Kentucky in 2014.
Isn't it the month of March that's supposed to come in like a lion, and go out like a lamb? If the adage is true, that's great news for Kentucky bass anglers, since it is precisely that type of moderating of the weather that gets largemouth cranked up for the spring frenzy throughout the commonwealth.
Louisiana From sprawling brackish tidal marshes to massive reservoirs to small lake gems, Louisiana offers anglers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Just about any freshwater lake or river in a state can provide excellent bass fishing.
Bobby Reed is one of the fisheries biologists for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and he offered his opinion of the top six bass waters in the Bayou State. Here's how he ranked them, your top spots for bass fishing in Louisiana.
Massachusetts Once considered a mecca for trout anglers, the Northeast is now a premier destination for largemouth and smallmouth anglers, and no matter how many anglers participate, the fishing simply gets better. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Massachusetts.
Maryland
The Old Line State offers an excellent variety of options for bass fishermen including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers where largemouths and smallmouths abound. Dawn and dusk are the best times to be on the water because the fish are most active during these periods and recreational activity is minimal. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Maryland.
Maine Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Maine.
The majority of fishermen release nearly every bass they catch, tossing the smaller ones back to 'grow up ' and letting the big ones go after a quick photo session. When you use a resource but don't abuse it, the results are predictable: Plenty of big bass to go around and more on the way.
Michigan After a harsh winter, everyone is ready for warmer days and feeding largemouths and smallmouths. It may not seem like those days will ever come, but they will, and when they do, these are the places you'll want to be if you like bass fishing in Michigan.
Minnesota Walleyes draw the most headlines, but don't let that fool you. Countless rivers and lakes in all parts of Minnesota offer outstanding opportunities to catch largemouths and smallmouths alike from the season opener through well into fall. Here's the scoop on three of the best bets for bass fishing in Minnesota.
Missouri People who grow up fishing in Missouri often follow a pattern of behavior similar to those who grow up hunting in the Midwest. If you hunt you often start learning to stalk and shoot squirrels and maybe rabbits. Then you progress to turkeys and finally deer. While you might occasionally go elsewhere to hunt elk or bear, most hunters tend to stick with deer and rarely resort back to hunting squirrels.
Mississippi If you plan to do some bass fishing in Mississippi this month, the options are many. But, here are some of the lakes that you don't want to overlook. The bass are active and ready for a fight in these locations.
Montana The best bass fishing in Montana takes place in the morning and late evening. During summer, lunkers seek haven in the deeper, cooler waters, so the fishing is often better at night. Bass are generally found near some kind of cover — shady spots under weed beds, over-hanging trees, logs, brush, stumps, rocks and rocky points.
North Carolina Ask any biologist to name the best bass fishing waters in his district and one water body will rise to the top faster than a bass busting a Hula Popper. Any angler who thinks he knows which nearby lake has the best bass fishing may just be in for a shock when he hears the answer.
North Dakota
Well known for its great walleye, perch and pike fisheries, bass fishing in North Dakota is also provides some excellent angling in spring, summer and fall.
Nebraska
Anglers will find plenty of room for bass fishing in Nebraska on its many lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks. The most consistent action will be found on major lakes including Box Butte Reservoir, Branched Oak Lake, and Elwood Reservoir, but good fishing abounds in smaller reservoirs, rivers and creeks statewide. Nebraska's state-record largemouth was caught in a sand pit near Columbus and the state-record smallmouth was pulled from the Missouri River.
New Hampshire Although fishing has been considered a 'consumptive ' sport since the earliest days of fisheries management, New England's bass anglers can give themselves a hearty pat on the back for their contribution to the management of black bass throughout the region. Once considered a mecca for trout anglers, the Northeast is now a premier destination for largemouth and smallmouth anglers, and no matter how many anglers participate, the fishing simply gets better.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in New Hampshire.
New Jersey Historically, bass fishing in New Jersey does not yield world class trophies. However, its overlooked warmwater fisheries are some of the best in the East. The current New Jersey state-record largemouth is 10 pounds, 14 ounces, caught in Menantico Sand Pond in 1980. Recent reports indicate that anglers have come close to beating this long-standing record.
New Mexico Black bass reign supreme as the most sought-after game fish in America and also the most aggressive. With voracious appetites and short tempers, black bass readily feed on small fish, crayfish, worms, lizards, insects, mice, small birds and frogs — anything they can get into their large mouths. Primarily considered residents of the Midwest and Southeast, bass also call the lakes of the southwestern U.S. home, and fishermen pursue them with great zeal. Bass are usually found in and around cover, typically hiding next to logs, docks, underwater ridges, submerged brush and rocks, or near abrupt drop-offs.
Nevada
Although Nevada is widely known as the driest state in the U.S., it is home to over 200 lakes and reservoirs plus 600 streams and rivers that provide nearly 400,000 surface acres of sport-fishing opportunity.
New York
According to the Fisheries Division black bass are the most popular and sought after game fish in the state. Back in 2001, an estimated 387,000 New York anglers spent time pursuing smallmouths and largemouths investing some five million hours doing so. That boils down to 48 percent more effort than for trout, the second-most popular and sought-after targets.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in New York in 2014.
Ohio Anglers who are bass fishing in Ohio are lucky to have several resources to reference when seeking places to pursue largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass here in the Buckeye State. The Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW) fisheries personnel have worked with local bass clubs for several years to maintain a count of how many bass their members are catching and the size of the bass to get an estimate on the state's bass numbers. Those figures allow both biologists and bass anglers to get a handle on local bass populations and where larger fish might be found.
Oklahoma There is plenty of great bass fishing in Oklahoma to go around.
We have more lakes and streams than most states along with tens of thousands of farm ponds that offer bass action as well.
No matter whether you fish from the latest and greatest $40,000 bass boat or you fish by walking the bank or paddling a canoe, you can find lots of places that hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
Oregon Longer days, higher highs, warmer water€¦ Everything suggests spring, which means bass fishing in Oregon is about to break open. When it does, you want to be in the best place. That's why we've selected waters that are likely to serve up excellent bass fishing this year.
Pennsylvania Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Pennsylvania in 2014.
The biggest news in bass management in Pennsylvania continues to surround the lower Susquehanna River. Widespread die-offs of young-of-year smallmouth bass have been documented for several years. More recently, adult smallmouth bass have been recovered that have had lesions and significant black skin splotches.
Rhode Island
Although fishing has been considered a 'consumptive ' sport since the earliest days of fisheries management, New England's bass anglers can give themselves a hearty pat on the back for their contribution to the management of black bass throughout the region. Once considered a mecca for trout anglers, the Northeast is now a premier destination for largemouth and smallmouth anglers, and no matter how many anglers participate, the fishing simply gets better. Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Rhode Island.
South Carolina The hope of most fisheries biologists across the state is that 2014 will see a return to 'normal, ' though many are left scratching their heads to define exactly what 'normal ' is these days. To assist those bass fans as the cold temperatures of February begin to give way to March, South Carolina Game & Fish picked the brains of fisheries experts across the state to let anglers know what they can expect on the water this year.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in South Carolina this year.
South Dakota Nothing warms a spring day like a screaming drag and a jumping smallmouth, and after this winter, we can all use a dose of warmth. With that in mind, let's take a look at a few destinations that promise to serve up extra good bass fishing in South Dakota this year.
Tennessee The only bad thing about spring is that it doesn't last forever. Daytime highs eventually start creeping higher, without much break at night, causing the water to warm. As that occurs, the bass tend to stray deeper and become more challenging to catch.
No use fretting about what's to come, though. Spring and some of the year's finest bass fishing in Tennessee are just around the corner. With that in mind, let's look at some of Tennessee's best waters for largemouths, smallmouths and spots and consider how you can make the most your spring fishing days.
Texas Get prepared for a great year in Texas bass fishing history, and you can credit it much of what is going on this year to an era of absolute fantastic bass angling that began 45 years ago!
How can that be? Only those who were there or who have parents or grandparents who experienced the beginning of Texas' bass fishing's extraordinary changes that began in the late 1960s and mid-1970s can fully understand why they should be so excited about what is in store for them today.
Utah There are nearly 20 proven lakes for bass fishing in Utah where excellent fishing for largemouths and smallmouths may be enjoyed year-round.
Virginia Bass anglers have faced several issues over the past few years with regards to the health of their favorite fishery, including the discovery of largemouth bass virus, the unknown impact Northern snakeheads would have on bass and various droughts or wet years. Despite these events, largemouth bass fishing remains very good in all regions of the state
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in Virginia.
Vermont Let's look at bass management strategies in New England and where avid bass anglers can find the best bass fishing in Vermont.
Vermont is another state where trout fishing has always ruled, but Vermont biologists have recognized the increasing interest in bass fishing in recent years and have taken the initiative to set regulations designed to protect bass during the critical spring spawning period.
Washington
With spring quickly springing, the bass fishing on various rivers and lakes will heat up soon. Washington waters offer many excellent options for days spent catching largemouths or smallmouths. We've selected three that are extra intriguing. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Washington.
Wisconsin It seems like this winter never shake its grip. It really will, though. In fact, by the time bass open on seasonal waters, things should have warmed significantly and the largemouths and smallmouths should be ready to play. Let's explore a few fine places to play with them! Bass fishing in Wisconsin has never been better!
West Virginia
West Virginia comes by its nickname the Mountain State honestly. The snow-covered highland hollows of the region can send torrents of icy water into our streams, rivers and lakes throughout January and February, as well as many times in March and April. But most years sometime in March and April, the fish start to become active. The following bodies of water are some of the places where the action is under those normal circumstances.
Here's what to expect for bass fishing in West Virginia.
Wyoming Major lakes in Wyoming that contain populations of bass include Bighorn Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir (where the state-record smallmouth was taken), Grayrocks Reservoir, Guernsey Reservoir and Keyhole Reservoir. You can also find bass in many ponds, rivers and smaller lakes in the southern portions of the state. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Wyoming.
We talked with fishing legend Shaw Grigsby about the most productive bass fishing patterns. Take a look at what he says about dock fishing:
Be sure to share your best bass photos with us on Camera Corner for your chance to win free gear and enter our boat giveaway. Details coming soon!
