Top 5 fall lakes with Matt Herren

Looking for a fall bass-fishing destination? Matt Herren has a few suggestions worth considering.

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Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., was recently cornered, and he agreed to take some time away from fall deer hunting preparations to divulge his Top 5 fall bass fishing lakes, and why. He loves to hunt, but when the fall bite picks up, there’s a good chance you’ll find him launching a boat on one of these fine autumn destinations.
Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., was recently cornered, and he agreed to take some time away from fall deer hunting preparations to divulge his Top 5 fall bass fishing lakes, and why. He loves to hunt, but when the fall bite picks up, there’s a good chance you’ll find him launching a boat on one of these fine autumn destinations.
<b>No. 5 Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri</b><br><br> “As the water starts to cool down, the fish in Lake of the Ozarks feed voraciously,” he said. “Sure, they feed heavily in most lakes this time of year, but I’ve found that lake to hold a very aggressive fall bite. Not to mention that that part of Missouri is absolutely gorgeous that time of year.”
No. 5
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

“As the water starts to cool down, the fish in Lake of the Ozarks feed voraciously,” he said. “Sure, they feed heavily in most lakes this time of year, but I’ve found that lake to hold a very aggressive fall bite. Not to mention that that part of Missouri is absolutely gorgeous that time of year.”

<b>No. 4 Lake Champlain, New York</b><br><br> “The pressure is usually much lower this time of year,” Herren explained. “Whether that’s due to hunting season taking priority, cooler temperatures, or whatever, Champlain can be dynamite in the fall. You have a great opportunity to catch both small- and largemouth bass, and between the good fishing and the fall scenery, it’s a great get-away.”
No. 4
Lake Champlain, New York

“The pressure is usually much lower this time of year,” Herren explained. “Whether that’s due to hunting season taking priority, cooler temperatures, or whatever, Champlain can be dynamite in the fall. You have a great opportunity to catch both small- and largemouth bass, and between the good fishing and the fall scenery, it’s a great get-away.”

<b>No. 3 Lake Okeechobee, Florida</b><br><br> “Typically, late into the fall the fishing pressure drops with the water temperatures, and the fish really fire up. In fact, I’ve been on some amazing topwater bites on Okeechobee that have seldom been topped. November and December offer a tremendous opportunity at true trophy-caliber largemouth bass in a comfortable Florida climate.” he said
No. 3
Lake Okeechobee, Florida

“Typically, late into the fall the fishing pressure drops with the water temperatures, and the fish really fire up. In fact, I’ve been on some amazing topwater bites on Okeechobee that have seldom been topped. November and December offer a tremendous opportunity at true trophy-caliber largemouth bass in a comfortable Florida climate.” he said

<b>No. 2 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin</b><br><br> “As fall sets in, big smallies get hungry,” he said. “And yes, the colder weather can make it more difficult, but the anglers who are willing to face the elements for world-class smallmouth bass action need to consider Sturgeon Bay. Anglers have to anticipate colder weather if they fish there during the fall, but they really have a great chance at some huge smallies.”
No. 2
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

“As fall sets in, big smallies get hungry,” he said. “And yes, the colder weather can make it more difficult, but the anglers who are willing to face the elements for world-class smallmouth bass action need to consider Sturgeon Bay. Anglers have to anticipate colder weather if they fish there during the fall, but they really have a great chance at some huge smallies.”

<b>No. 1 Lake Guntersville</b>
No. 1
Lake Guntersville
“I’d be remiss to leave this place out during the fall,” Herren said. “I know from many years of personal experience that the biggest fish in this lake go on the chomp as the weather cools throughout the fall. I’m a shallow-water power fisherman, and the opportunities are vast for a guy like me who loves to catch them this way. And, to make it even better, you can literally catch them effectively on many presentations. You can use a giant swimbait, buzzbaits, spooks, punching grass mats, frogs, crankbaits, jigs, you name it; it all works! I’ll be honest; it’s not hard to claim Guntersville as my favorite fall lake, and I think many other anglers would agree.”
“I’d be remiss to leave this place out during the fall,” Herren said. “I know from many years of personal experience that the biggest fish in this lake go on the chomp as the weather cools throughout the fall. I’m a shallow-water power fisherman, and the opportunities are vast for a guy like me who loves to catch them this way. And, to make it even better, you can literally catch them effectively on many presentations. You can use a giant swimbait, buzzbaits, spooks, punching grass mats, frogs, crankbaits, jigs, you name it; it all works! I’ll be honest; it’s not hard to claim Guntersville as my favorite fall lake, and I think many other anglers would agree.”
You can bet that this guy will be in the woods during the fall, just like many of us who are passionate about the outdoors. But when the fall bite gets hot, don’t be surprised to see Herren at a few of these lakes before winter sets in.
You can bet that this guy will be in the woods during the fall, just like many of us who are passionate about the outdoors. But when the fall bite gets hot, don’t be surprised to see Herren at a few of these lakes before winter sets in.