Bassmaster top 100 bass lakes 2018 2024
WRB reply :
Top 10
1. Sam Rayburn, TX
2. Chickamuaga, TN
3. Clear Lake, CA
4. St.Claire, MI
5. Mille Lacs, MN
6. Santee Cooper, SC
7. Diamond Valley, CA
8. Thousand Islands, St Lawrance River, NY
9. Gunthersville, AL
10. Lake Falcon, TX
The Bassmaster top 100 is always an interesting and somewhat baffling list as usual.
Clear Lake is an excellent fishery but has fallen on tough times from all the fires the past 3 years impacting the water quality and communities around the lake limiting places to stay when visiting the lake.
DVL or Diamond Valley is currently closed do to a massive algae bloom and I can't fish it becuase od quagga mussel restrictions.
Though you all might be interested.
Tom
Arcs&sparks reply :
Link?
BassThumb reply :
I'm not surprised Mille Lacs dropped from #1. The pressure from having all the hype and the two back-to-back AOY Champioships has made it an amazingly difficult fishery in just a couple years' time. Those big 10-15 year old bass got real smart, real fast. I was just out there Weds and half the fish I caught had scarred up mouths. I mean literally 50%.
I've heard this Top 100 list called the "Lake Killer List". I don't doubt that anymore.
N Florida Mike reply :
No Florida waters ?? Seems strange. Maybe it'll keep the pressure down.
Way north bass guy reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:27 AM, BassThumb said:I'm not surprised Mille Lacs dropped from #1. The pressure from having all the hype and the two back-to-back AOY Champioships has made it an amazingly difficult fishery in just a couple years' time. Those big 10-15 year old bass got real smart, real fast. I was just out there Weds and half the fish I caught had scarred up mouths. I mean literally 50%.
I've heard this Top 100 list called the "Lake Killer List". I don't doubt that anymore.
Living in Ontario, we have quite a few amazing fisheries that could easily make the top 100 list, but I’m with you on this. Kinda glad we don’t get much mention on there, some of the best waters can be changed a lot once the word gets out about great fishing.
A-Jay reply :
Very content knowing there's nothing I routinely fish on that list.
Still manage to get a few though.
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 8:31 PM, A-Jay said:Very content knowing there's nothing I routinely fish on that list.
Still manage to get a few though.
A-Jay
I too was quite shocked Lake Menderchuck was not on there.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 8:43 PM, 12poundbass said:I too was quite shocked Lake Menderchuck was not on there.
We all know that place is like the Dead Sea ~
A-Jay
greentrout reply :
No Toledo Bend?...or Fla. lakes...hmmmm....
WRB reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:08 AM, Arcs&sparks said:Link?
It's published in July/August 2018 Bassmaster magazine page 28, 100 Best Bass Lakes.
The article lists the top 10 overall and top 25 in 4 regions like they did in 2017.
Toledo Bend is 4th in the Central division. Florida lakes are in the Southeastern division.
Tom
Chance_Taker4 reply :
No Fla lakes or Erie? kinda seems strange.
Arcs&sparks reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:12 PM, WRB said:It's published in July/August 2018 Bassmaster magazine page 28, 100 Best Bass Lakes.
The article lists the top 10 overall and top 25 in 4 regions like they did in 2017.
Toledo Bend is 4th in the Central division. Florida lakes are in the Southeastern division.
Tom
Thanks, I couldn’t find it online ????
WRB reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:53 PM, Arcs&sparks said:Thanks, I couldn’t find it online ????
I couldn't either, maybe they hold off until all the magazines are delivered.
Tom
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
St. John's Fla
WRB reply :
On 7/1/2018 at 3:03 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:St. John's Fla
On 7/1/2018 at 3:03 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:St. John's Fla
Not listed in the top 25 of the Southeast division.
Tom
Mike L reply :
The List doesn't mean anything
Mike
Catt reply :
On 7/1/2018 at 5:25 AM, Mike L said:The List doesn't mean anything
Mike
Kinda like the Heisman ????
WRB reply :
On 7/1/2018 at 5:37 AM, Catt said:
Kinda like the Heisman ????
I remember when Toledo Bend was #1, who was the 1st to post it........hmmmm
Tom
BASS302 reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 10:56 AM, WRB said:Clear Lake is an excellent fishery but has fallen on tough times from all the fires the past 3 years impacting the water quality and communities around the lake limiting places to stay when visiting the lake.
There's another fire near Clear Lake right now.
HeyCoach reply :
I may go fish at Guntersville next week. This coming week it’ll be too crazy on the water.
Catt reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 10:56 AM, WRB said:Top 10
1. Sam Rayburn, TX
So you're backing Rayburn? ????
Got a big sign near Fairmont TX, Toledo Bend bass fishing capital of the world, it's been the since the early 70s!
WRB reply :
On 7/1/2018 at 10:57 AM, Catt said:
So you're backing Rayburn? ????
Got a big sign near Fairmont TX, Toledo Bend bass fishing capital of the world, it's been the since the early 70s!
It's not my list!
Tom
Bluebasser86 reply :
It's a pretty laughable list. Disappointed to see a lake I fish very often on the list in the top 10 for the central division. The fact that it's listed above lakes like LOZ, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Texoma, and Lake Fork is absurd. I'd like to know who this guy is that catches 6 pounders out of all the other lakes in Kansas too. I guess a lake produces 2 10 pound fish in an entire year (back to back days no less), makes it top 10 worthy? The good part is, it's an extremely difficult lake, even for myself who fishes it often and has for 16 years now, so anyone thinking of making a trip to fish "The best bass lake in Kansas", I'd seriously reconsider, unless a real good chance at a skunking sounds like a fun time.
Brad in Texas reply :
These sorts of lists are more for fun than much anything else. They are also intended to "catch eyes" and I see them all the time, oft-repeated ones like "The 10 Best Cities to Retire" and others. Some magazines include articles like this in almost every issue.
As regards accuracy? Hmm?
An analogy: Most of us, if asked to list our favorite meals or restaurants, in order, we might go really strong for the first 5 or 10 . . . then it really falls apart after that if asked for more names. We sort of "fill out" the list struggling to complete it.
Here in Texas? We have a half dozen lakes that are perennial favorites. Even some of the best are also known to be very frustrating. I read all the time about anglers going out to the legendary Lake Fork, skunking or catching just a few small bass they could have pulled from a pond, then asking "What's the secret?"
The secret is, by the way, that most anglers can "not catch fish" just about anywhere, any time, even on lakes with the best reputations.
Still, guess I'll be another wanting to read down the list of "100." I have been programmed to do so.
Brad
Sifuedition reply :
I find it odd that in Oklahoma, Grand Lake only has a moderate following as a good "bass lake", yet, it seems that is one of the very few in Oklahoma that tournaments will put on their tour.
Koz reply :
Santee Cooper
FishingDM reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:27 AM, BassThumb said:I'm not surprised Mille Lacs dropped from #1. The pressure from having all the hype and the two back-to-back AOY Champioships has made it an amazingly difficult fishery in just a couple years' time. Those big 10-15 year old bass got real smart, real fast. I was just out there Weds and half the fish I caught had scarred up mouths. I mean literally 50%.
I've heard this Top 100 list called the "Lake Killer List". I don't doubt that anymore.
I fish Mille Lacs most weekends and I have definately seen a difference in the fishing since the hype by BASS. It is still excellent fishing but I have found it harder to catch them.
It's possible the scars were from the smallies digging in the rocks for crawfish. One I caught yesterday had a mouthful of crawfish.
BassThumb reply :
On 7/2/2018 at 10:28 AM, FishingDM said:I fish Mille Lacs most weekends and I have definately seen a difference in the fishing since the hype by BASS. It is still excellent fishing but I have found it harder to catch them.
It's possible the scars were from the smallies digging in the rocks for crawfish. One I caught yesterday had a mouthful of crawfish.
That's very true, on both parts. I can't wait to get up there tomorrow and Weds, 4th of July. It's a great fishery, it you really have to put the lure right on their nose. I used to run and gun with jerkbaits and 1 oz spinnerbaits. Now I soak dropshot and Ned's just to get bit.
However, those bass where eating craws 5 years ago too, and they weren't all tore up. These were traditional scars from fishing: roof of the mouth, fresh broken jaws, healed broken mouths, etc. I didn't used to see that.
WRB reply :
On 7/2/2018 at 10:12 AM, Koz said:Santee Cooper
Corrected, thanks.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Maybe publicity for AOY won't ruin lake Chatuge this year
Catt reply :
On 7/1/2018 at 7:45 PM, Brad in Texas said:The secret is, by the way, that most anglers can "not catch fish" just about anywhere, any time, even on lakes with the best reputations.
I hear all the time Toledo Bend was ruined because it was rated #1 two years in a row.
No! The absence of grass changed how ya fish the lake, the bass made the adjustments to not having as much grass, sadly most anglers didn't!
Troy85 reply :
On 7/3/2018 at 12:25 AM, Catt said:
I hear all the time Toledo Bend was ruined because it was rated #1 two years in a row.
No! The absence of grass changed how ya fish the lake, the bass made the adjustments to not having as much grass, sadly most anglers didn't!
Based just on the results of the TB Lunker Program from 2017-now. I would agree with you and I'd say the lake is doing just fine.
WRB reply :
Imo Texas has the top LMB fishing lakes in the country for quality and they are professionally managed.
California's Delta is a better bass fishery then Clear Lake for consistant 5 bass limits over 20 lbs year around. The problem with the Delta is political, it's in the middle of the water wars and the LMB population is under attack by politicians trying to eliminate the fishery in favor of water rights, zero bass management.
DVL couldn't hold a major bass tournament, fishes too small for more then 50 boats. The fact is all California's larger size lakes are located in northern half of the state.
Clear Lake is a big natural bass lake with good populations of LMB but fires have damaged the surrounding water shead and communities to visit and stay near the lake.
Anyway the BM 100 lists is always interesting to read each year.
Tom
greentrout reply :
On 7/3/2018 at 12:25 AM, Catt said:No! The absence of grass changed how ya fish the lake, the bass made the adjust
ments to not having as much grass, sadly most anglers didn't!
once lived in houston, tx....same thing happened in lake conroe...
good fishing...
FryDog62 reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:27 AM, BassThumb said:I'm not surprised Mille Lacs dropped from #1. The pressure from having all the hype and the two back-to-back AOY Champioships has made it an amazingly difficult fishery in just a couple years' time. Those big 10-15 year old bass got real smart, real fast. I was just out there Weds and half the fish I caught had scarred up mouths. I mean literally 50%.
I've heard this Top 100 list called the "Lake Killer List". I don't doubt that anymore.
Very true. It’s a Top 10 Lake and 90 minutes from my house and yet I rarely fish it and only with a guide. And I LOVE smallmouth!!
gimruis reply :
Ya that's the good and bad thing about making a national ranking on this list. The good thing is that you get the national recognition you deserve and the bad thing is that now everyone knows about it. Very few people used to fish Mille Lacs about 5 years ago and now that it has gotten such national B.A.S.S. prestige, its been getting hammered to death. I still do think there is a state record swimming in there but they have become extremely difficult to catch.
detroit1 reply :
Lake ST. Clair has been #1 in the recent past, a bazillion people fish it, and look at what the FLW gang weighed in last week....'nuff said.
greentrout reply :
Best lakes 2018...
https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes
good fishing...
NorcalBassin reply :
Pretty crazy list... 4 of the 5 areas I fish 99% of the time are top 5 out west. Didn't see that coming.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 11:27 AM, BassThumb said:I'm not surprised Mille Lacs dropped from #1. The pressure from having all the hype and the two back-to-back AOY Champioships has made it an amazingly difficult fishery in just a couple years' time. Those big 10-15 year old bass got real smart, real fast. I was just out there Weds and half the fish I caught had scarred up mouths. I mean literally 50%.
I've heard this Top 100 list called the "Lake Killer List". I don't doubt that anymore.
Yup! Chickamauga is the hardest place I have ever tried to catch a bass
FishingDM reply :
On 7/2/2018 at 11:23 PM, BassThumb said:That's very true, on both parts. I can't wait to get up there tomorrow and Weds, 4th of July. It's a great fishery, it you really have to put the lure right on their nose. I used to run and gun with jerkbaits and 1 oz spinnerbaits. Now I soak dropshot and Ned's just to get bit.
However, those bass where eating craws 5 years ago too, and they weren't all tore up. These were traditional scars from fishing: roof of the mouth, fresh broken jaws, healed broken mouths, etc. I didn't used to see that.
Oh yes, I did see that on one I caught last weekend. I was thinking scars on top of their head, and sometimes sides. Thats what I have seen when they are feeding on crawfish. I will be out on Friday, taking a friend out to catch his first Mille Lacs smallmouth.
BassThumb reply :
I’ll be heading up to Mille Lacs today. It’s the best place I know to spend thr Fourth and Labor Day. Most lakes will be a zoo, but they’re all spread out on the Pond. It’ll feel like a normal Saturday. I won’t have another angler within 3 blocks more than a few times today.
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