With its long-standing reputation, California Bass fishing needs no introduction. Anglers catch a variety of species in the Golden State, including Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass. Of these, the most sought-after is Largemouth Bass, an aggressive fish that continues to revolutionize sportfishing. Some of the biggest Largemouth on record have been caught in California, several of them exceeding 20 lbs. With no shortage of productive fishing holes around here, you never know when the next record-breaking fish will appear!
Where to Fish for Bass
Northern California
The rolling hills of northern California guard some of the best Bass fishing lakes on the west coast. Clear Lake, Lake Almanor, Lake Berryessa, Shasta Lake and Whiskeytown Lake are but a few hot spots here. Even casting your line in smaller lakes, creeks, and ponds could lead to Largemouth, Smallmouth, or Spotted Bass.
Heading south opens up even more possibilities, including Lake Tahoe, Lake Camanche, Lake McClure, Lake Sonoma, and the aptly named Bass Lake. The San Francisco Bay Area has a variety of smaller lakes as well as brackish water habitats like the Delta which host Striped Bass, too.
Southern California
Anglers will find just as many opportunities in Southern California. A fair share of record-breaking Bass have been caught in the waters of Lakes Casitas, Miramar, and Castaic. These renowned fishing holes are just the tip of the iceberg, though. You can also expect excellent fishing at Lake Havasu, El Capitan Reservoir, and Lower Otay Lake, among many others.
California Bass Fishing Tips
Every fishing hole is different, but you can generally expect to find Bass in shallow water during spring and fall. These fish become a more elusive in summer and winter when they move to deeper water, but it’s still possible to fish for them.
Anglers with any level of experience can have great success and lots of fun while fishing for Bass, whether on fly rod or light tackle. Sportfishers have developed a wide variety of tactics when it comes to targeting these fish, including highly specialized techniques to adapt to heavy foliage and other factors. Some Bass fishing guides offer classes to help their clients master these techniques, including tournament-style methods.
When they’re hungry, Bass bite a variety of baits and lures. Depending on the season, effective lures include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spoons. Jigs, plastic worms, and topwater lures are better in summer, while pork baits, jigs, and soft plastics work best in winter. Anglers sometimes manage to tempt Largemouth Bass even when they aren’t hungry, since they will also bite in an effort to protect their territory.
No matter where, when, or how you choose to fish for California’s legendary Bass, these fish are sure to leave an impression. And who knows—you might just be the next to land a record-breaking catch in these waters!
