Guide To The Best Bass Fishing Lakes In California

All about fishing for spotted, smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Visit the Bass Knowledge Center for valuable information about bass and bass fishing. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in California.

Bass Fishing Lakes In CA

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Northern California

In Northern California be sure to try your luck for bass at Boca Reservoir , Bucks Lake, Clear Lake, Copco Lake, Folsom Lake, Lake Almanor, Lake Berryessa, Lake Combie, Lake Mendocino, Lake Oroville, Lake Pillsbury, Los Vaqueros Reservoir, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Shasta Lake, Stampede Reservoir, Trinity Lake and Whiskeytown Lake. You'll find bass in plenty other waters in the area as well including private ponds, creeks and smaller lakes.

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Central California

Bass Lake, Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake, Lake Don Pedro, Lake Cachuma, Lake Camanche, Lake Kaweah, Lake McClure, Lake Sonoma, Lake Tulloch, Lake Nacimiento, Lake Tahoe, Millerton Lake, New Hogan Lake, New Melones Lake, Pine Flat Lake, San Luis Reservoir, San Pablo Reservoir, Shaver Lake, Success Lake, Union Valley Reservoir, The California Delta (San Joaquin Delta) and Topaz Lake are the larger bodies of water that hold bass. Check the tributaries leading into and away from these lakes for potential bass fishing hot spots.

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Southern California

Andrew Kotnik with a nice 12 1/2 pound bass from Lake Mission Viejo.

The larger bodies of water in Southern California that hold populations of bass include Barrett Lake, Big Bear Lake, Canyon Lake, Diamond Valley Lake, El Capitan Reservoir, Laguna Niguel Lake, Lake Cahuilla, Lake Casitas, Lake Castaic, Lake Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Lake Havasu, Lake Hodges, Lake Perris, Lake Piru, Lake Sutherland, Littlerock Reservoir, Lower Otay Lake, Pyramid Lake, San Vicente Reservoir, Silverwood Lake and Skinner Reservoir. Lake Castaic served up the state record for largemouth bass in California. Other monster bass have also come from Castaic.

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Click the images and links above for species details.

Top 5 Bass Fishing Lures For California

When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top water lures are the most productive. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers.

The California state record smallmouth bass was caught out of Trinity Lake (Clair Engle Lake).

Lake Castaic holds the CA record for largemouth bass.

New Bullards Bar Reservoir was home to the state record spotted bass.

 

Catch more big bass!

Bass fishing basics video.

Understanding the primary seasonal movements of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is key to locating them on local lakes in the Golden State.

Bass fishing information by state.