Have you ever tried to rank your favorite fishing lakes? It’s not easy. You like one lake for its big-fish potential; another for numbers of fish; another for the natural beauty surrounding the experience. So which is best? Deciding on one is an impossible task.
However, just because something is impossible doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to do it. Bassmaster Magazine decided to tackle the chore, the following list of lakes being the result. But how did we develop the rankings?
First, we asked the Department of Natural Resources in every state to rank its top bass lakes based on electroshock and angler catch-rate surveys. Secondly, we asked the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation state presidents to rank the top lakes in their states based on tournament results, which narrowed the master list. Third, we asked the Federation Nation conservation directors to rank the bass lakes in their states based on access, stocking practices and current health of the fishery, narrowing the list to 100. And lastly, we created a blue ribbon panel of experts, including outdoor writers, Elite Series anglers and fishing industry leaders from across the country to organize these lakes based on the priorities of bass anglers.
At the top of the list are lakes where you will catch giant bass, and plenty of ’em, in a beautiful setting. As you read further down the list, trophy potential may drop off, or perhaps numbers may dwindle. However, making this list isn’t easy. There are thousands of bass lakes in the U.S. — these 100 simply shine brightest.
Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes
- Falcon Lake, Texas
- Lake Okeechobee, Florida
- Lake Guntersville, Alabama
- Lake Erie, Michigan/Ohio/New York/Pennsylvania
- Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
- Lake Amistad, Texas
- Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
- San Joaquin Delta, California
- Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Clear Lake, California
- Rainy Lake, Minnesota
- Pickwick Lake, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee
- Lake St. Clair, Michigan
- Oneida Lake, New York
- Toledo Bend, Texas/Louisiana
- Kentucky Lake/Barkley Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee
- Grand Lake, Oklahoma
- Kezar Lake, Maine
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
- Columbia River, Washington/Oregon
- Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes, Florida
- Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
- Santee Cooper lakes, South Carolina
- Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
- Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
- Lake Fork, Texas
- Louisiana Delta, Louisiana
- Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
- Lake Konawa, Oklahoma
- Lake Of The Ozarks, Missouri
- Potomac River, Maryland/Virginia
- Shasta Lake, California
- Lake Havasu, Arizona
- Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Illinois/Indiana/Michigan
- Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
- Florida Everglades, Florida
- Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
- Lake Mead, Nevada
- Choke Canyon Lake, Texas
- Lake Seminole, Georgia/Florida
- Congamond Lakes, Massachusetts
- Table Rock Lake, Missouri
- Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
- Falls Lake, North Carolina
- Umpqua River, Oregon
- Okoboji Lake, Iowa
- Red River, Louisiana
- Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado
- DeGray Lake, Arkansas
- Trap Pond, Delaware
- Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri
- Spirit Lake, Iowa
- St. Lawrence River, New York
- Squam Lake, New Hampshire
- High Rock Lake, North Carolina
- Arbuckle Lake, Oklahoma
- Lake Tarpon, Florida
- Apache Lake, Arizona
- Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
- Perry Reservoir, Kansas
- Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee
- Lake Wawasee, Indiana
- Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
- Lake Conroe, Texas
- Noxon Rapids, Montana
- Diamond Valley Lake, California
- Summit Reservoir, Nebraska
- Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Rend Lake, Illinois
- Lake Pleasant, Arizona
- Lake Audubon, North Dakota
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming
- Harris Chain Of Lakes, Florida
- Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
- Ute Lake, New Mexico
- Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
- Wilson Reservoir, Kansas
- Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico
- Lake Oahe, South Dakota
- Gull Lake, Minnesota
- Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Isla, N.C./Virginia
- Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
- Lake Gaston, North Carolina
- Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
- Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
- Tygart Lake, West Virginia
- Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Kansas
- O.H. Ivie, Texas
- Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania
- Lake Murray, South Carolina
- Lake Sammamish, Washington
- Lake Eufaula, Alabama/Georgia
- Enid Reservoir, Mississippi
- Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee
- Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana
- Manasquan Reservoir, New Jersey
- Lake Mohave, Nevada
- Lake Lanier, Georgia
- Sebago Lake, Maine
- McPhee Lake, Colorado 4