Best Bass Lakes

100 Best Bass Lakes of 2012

Have you ever tried to rank your favorite fishing lakes? It’s not easy. Here are the lakes that earned a spot in Bassmaster Magazine's 100 Best Bass Lakes list for 2012

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<p> Have you ever tried to rank your favorite fishing lakes? It’s not easy. There are thousands of bass lakes in the U.S. — but some simply shine brighter than others. Here are some of the lakes that earned a spot in <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine's 100 Best Bass Lakes list.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - Have you ever tried to rank your favorite fishing lakes? It’s not easy. There are thousands of bass lakes in the U.S. — but some simply shine brighter than others. Here are some of the lakes that earned a spot in Bassmaster Magazine's 100 Best Bass Lakes list.
<p> 100. McPhee Lake, Colorado</p>
Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife - 100. McPhee Lake, Colorado
<p> 99. Sebago Lake, Maine</p>
Photo: Landscapes of America - 99. Sebago Lake, Maine
<p> 98. Lake Lanier, Georgia</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 98. Lake Lanier, Georgia
<p> 97. Lake Mohave, Nevada and Arizona</p>
Photo: National Park Service - 97. Lake Mohave, Nevada and Arizona
<p> 96. Manasquan Reservoir, New Jersey</p>
Photo: Maribeth Gardner - 96. Manasquan Reservoir, New Jersey
<p> 95. Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 95. Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana
<p> 94. Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee</p>
Photo: Seigo Saito - 94. Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee
<p> 93. Enid Reservoir, Mississippi</p>
Photo: U.S. Military - 93. Enid Reservoir, Mississippi
<p> 92. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 92. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma
<p> 91. Lake Sammamish, Washington</p>
Photo: D.F. Brakke - 91. Lake Sammamish, Washington
<p> 90. Lake Murray, South Carolina</p>
Photo: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism - 90. Lake Murray, South Carolina
<p> 89. Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania</p>
Photo: Wallenpaupack Realty - 89. Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania
<p> 88. O.H. Ivie, Texas</p>
Photo: Chris Coufal - 88. O.H. Ivie, Texas
<p> 87. Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Kansas</p>
Photo: Mindy Yeager-Braun, Prairie Dog State Park - 87. Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Kansas
<p> 86. Tygart Lake, West Virginia</p>
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District - 86. Tygart Lake, West Virginia
<p> 85. Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho</p>
Photo: Michael Larkin - 85. Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
<p> 84. Bullard Bars, California</p>
Photo: Debra Robertson, Emerald Cove Marina - 84. Bullard Bars, California
<p> 83. Lake Gaston, North Carolina</p>
Photo: Lake Gaston Realty - 83. Lake Gaston, North Carolina
<p> 82. Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky</p>
Photo: George Green, US Army - 82. Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
<p> 81. Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Island, North Carolina and Virginia</p>
Photo: Joshua Davis, Natural Resource Specialist - 81. Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Island, North Carolina and Virginia
<p> 80. Gull Lake, Minnesota</p>
Photo: Kathi Nagorski, Brainerd Lakes Chamber - 80. Gull Lake, Minnesota
<p> 79. Lake Oahe, South Dakota</p>
Photo: Chad Coppess - 79. Lake Oahe, South Dakota
<p> 78. Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico</p>
Photo: Nathan LaFont - 78. Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico
<p> 77. Wilson Reservoir, Kansas</p>
Photo: Joyce Hendrix - 77. Wilson Reservoir, Kansas
<p> 76. Susquehanna River: New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland</p>
Photo: Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau - 76. Susquehanna River: New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland
<p> 75. Ute Lake, New Mexico</p>
Photo: Rick Martin, Ute Lake State Park - 75. Ute Lake, New Mexico
<p> 74. Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine</p>
74. Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
<p> 73. Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida</p>
Photo: Seigo Saito - 73. Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida
<p> 72. Flaming Gorge Reservoir, <span style=
Photo: Ashley National Forest Stock Photo - 72. Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming
<p> 71. Lake Audobon, North Dakota</p>
Photo: J.H. Young - 71. Lake Audobon, North Dakota
<p> 70. Lake Pleasant, Arizona</p>
Photo: Arizona Leisure - 70. Lake Pleasant, Arizona
<p> 69. Rend Lake, Illinois</p>
Photo: rendlake.com - 69. Rend Lake, Illinois
<p> 68. Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey</p>
Photo: lakehopatcong.org - 68. Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
<p> 67. Summit Reservoir, Nebraska</p>
Photo: summitcountyvoice.com - 67. Summit Reservoir, Nebraska
<p> 66. Diamond Valley Lake, California</p>
Photo: David Scriven - 66. Diamond Valley Lake, California
<p> 65. Noxon Rapids, Montana</p>
Photo: missoulian.com - 65. Noxon Rapids, Montana
<p> 64. Lake Conroe, Texas</p>
Photo: texasfishingonline.net - 64. Lake Conroe, Texas
<p> 63. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 63. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
<p> 62. Lake Wawasee, Indiana</p>
62. Lake Wawasee, Indiana
Lake Chickamauga is the playing field for the 2021 Mossy Oak Fishing High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Photo: Lake Chickamauga is the playing field for the 2021 Mossy Oak Fishing High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. - Lake Chickamauga is the playing field for the 2021 Mossy Oak Fishing High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
<p> 60. Perry Reservoir, Kansas</p>
Photo: Michael Pearce - 60. Perry Reservoir, Kansas
<p> 59. Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona</p>
Photo: Dave Jenkins - 59. Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
<p> 58. Apache Lake, Arizona</p>
Photo: Bernard Gagnon - 58. Apache Lake, Arizona
<p> 57. Lake Tarpon, Florida</p>
Photo: Patrick Hertel - 57. Lake Tarpon, Florida
<p> 56. Arbuckle Lake, Oklahoma</p>
Photo: outdoorsOK.com - 56. Arbuckle Lake, Oklahoma
<p> 55. High Rock Lake, North Carolina</p>
Photo: nclakefront.com - 55. High Rock Lake, North Carolina
<p> 54. Squam Lake, New Hampshire</p>
54. Squam Lake, New Hampshire
<p> 53. St. Lawrence River, New York</p>
Photo: Nicolas Gagnon - 53. St. Lawrence River, New York
<p> 52. Spirit Lake, Washington</p>
Photo: Steve Anderson - 52. Spirit Lake, Washington
<p> 51. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri</p>
Photo: James Overstreet - 51. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri
<p> 50. Trap Pond, Delaware</p>
Photo: naturesdomain.com - 50. Trap Pond, Delaware
<p> 49. DeGray Lake, Arkansas</p>
Photo: Ron Austin - 49. DeGray Lake, Arkansas
<p> 48. Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado</p>
Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Ron Drummond - 48. Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado
<p> 47. Red River, Louisiana</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - 47. Red River, Louisiana
<p> 46. Okoboji Lake, Iowa</p>
Photo: Brian Wentz - 46. Okoboji Lake, Iowa
<p> 45. Umpqua River, Oregon</p>
Photo: oregonflyfishingwithstan.com - 45. Umpqua River, Oregon
<p> 44. Falls Lake, North Carolina</p>
Photo: Charlie Peek, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation - 44. Falls Lake, North Carolina
<p> 43. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire</p>
Photo: Don Zimmer - 43. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
<p> 42. Table Rock Lake, Missouri and Arkansas</p>
Photo: Seigo Saito - 42. Table Rock Lake, Missouri and Arkansas
<p> 41. Congamond Lakes, Massachusetts</p>
Photo: Gert Cole - 41. Congamond Lakes, Massachusetts
<p> 40. Lake Seminole, Georgia</p>
Photo: Larry Towell - 40. Lake Seminole, Georgia
<p> 39. Choke Canyon Lake, Texas</p>
Photo: Chase Fountain/Texas Parks & Wildlife Department - 39. Choke Canyon Lake, Texas
Photo: National Park Service
<p> 37. Lake Charlevoix, Michigan</p>
Photo: M. Chris Leese of Charlevoix - 37. Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
<p> 36. Florida Everglades, Florida</p>
Photo: National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf - 36. Florida Everglades, Florida
<p> 35. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota</p>
Photo: minnesotalakes.com - 35. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
<p> 34. Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan</p>
Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce - 34. Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan
<p> 33. Lake Havasu, California and Arizona</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 33. Lake Havasu, California and Arizona
<p> 32. Shasta Lake,  California</p>
Photo: Eric Cussano - 32. Shasta Lake, California
<p> 31. Potomac River: West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia</p>
Photo: Jonathan Gentry - 31. Potomac River: West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia
<p> 30. Lake Of The Ozarks, Missouri</p>
Photo: Missouri Division of Tourism - 30. Lake Of The Ozarks, Missouri
<p> 29. Lake Konawa, Oklahoma</p>
Photo: Danny Bowen - 29. Lake Konawa, Oklahoma
<p> 28. Lake Ouachita, Arkansas</p>
Photo: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism - 28. Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
<p> 27. Louisiana Delta, Louisiana</p>
Photo: Seigo Saito - 27. Louisiana Delta, Louisiana
<p> 26. Lake Fork, Texas</p>
Photo: Chase Fountain/Texas Parks & Wildlife Department - 26. Lake Fork, Texas
<p> 25. Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin</p>
Photo: John Cronin, Wisconsin Department of Tourism - 25. Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
<p> 24. Roosevelt Lake, Arizona</p>
Photo: Salt River Project - 24. Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
<p> 23. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina</p>
Photo: Grayson Boxx - 23. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina
<p> 22. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut</p>
Photo: Candlewood Lake Authority - 22. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
<p> 21. Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Florida</p>
Photo: visitkissimmee.com - 21. Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Florida
<p> 20. Columbia River, Washington and Oregon</p>
Photo: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Walla Walla District - 20. Columbia River, Washington and Oregon
<p> 19. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas</p>
Photo: Guiseppe Beaumont - 19. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
<p> <span style=
Photo: greatmainewoods.com - 18. Kezar Lake, Maine
<p> 17. Grand Lake, Oklahoma</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 17. Grand Lake, Oklahoma
<p> 16. Kentucky Lake,  Kentucky and Tennessee</p>
Photo: Marshall County Tourist Commission - 16. Kentucky Lake, Kentucky and Tennessee
<p> 15. Toledo Bend, Texas and Louisiana</p>
Photo: Seigo Saito - 15. Toledo Bend, Texas and Louisiana
<p> 14. Oneida Lake, New York</p>
Photo: Gary Tramontina - 14. Oneida Lake, New York
<p>  </p> <p> 13. Lake St. Clair, Michigan</p>
Photo: michiganfishingonline.com - 13. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
<p> 12. Pickwick Lake, Tennessee</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 12. Pickwick Lake, Tennessee
<p> 11. Rainy Lake, Minnesota</p>
Photo: Courtesy of International Falls, Ranier and Rainy Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau - 11. Rainy Lake, Minnesota
<p> 10. Clear Lake, California</p>
Photo: Lake County Marketing Program - 10. Clear Lake, California
<p> 9. Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho</p>
Photo: Idaho Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism - 9. Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
<p> 8. San Joaquin Delta, California</p>
Photo: Bill Wells, Delta Chamber - 8. San Joaquin Delta, California
<p> 7. Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota</p>
Photo: Paul Stafford, Explore Minnesota Tourism - 7. Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
<p> 6. Lake Amistad, Texas</p>
Photo: Gary Tramontina - 6. Lake Amistad, Texas
<p> 5. Lake Champlain, New York and Vermont</p>
Photo: Larry Towell - 5. Lake Champlain, New York and Vermont
<p> 4. Lake Erie, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S. - 4. Lake Erie, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York
<p> 3. Lake Guntersville, Alabama</p>
Photo: Steve Price - 3. Lake Guntersville, Alabama
<p> 2. Lake Okeechobee, Florida</p>
Photo: Larry Towell - 2. Lake Okeechobee, Florida
<p> 1. Falcon Lake, Texas</p>
Photo: Gary Tramontina - 1. Falcon Lake, Texas