Bassmasters Top 100 Lakes 2025
slonezp reply :
How many have you fished? I've fished 9 of them. #3,16,21,23,30,34,42,51,69
1 Falcon Lake, Texas
2 Lake Okeechobee, Florida
3 Lake Guntersville, Alabama
4 Lake Erie, Michigan/Ohio/New York/Pennsylvania
5 Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
6 Lake Amistad, Texas
7 Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
8 San Joaquin Delta, California
9 Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
10 Clear Lake, California
11 Rainy Lake, Minnesota
12 Pickwick Lake, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee
13 Lake St. Clair, Michigan
14 Oneida Lake, New York
15 Toledo Bend, Texas/Louisiana
16 Kentucky Lake/Barkley Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee
17 Grand Lake, Oklahoma
18 Kezar Lake, Maine
19 Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
20 Columbia River, Washington/Oregon
21 Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes, Florida
22 Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
23 Santee Cooper lakes, South Carolina
24 Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
25 Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
26 Lake Fork, Texas
27 Louisiana Delta, Louisiana
28 Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
29 Lake Konawa, Oklahoma
30 Lake Of The Ozarks, Missouri
31 Potomac River, Maryland/Virginia
32 Shasta Lake, California
33 Lake Havasu, Arizona
34 Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Illinois/Indiana/Michigan
35 Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
36 Florida Everglades, Florida
37 Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
38 Lake Mead, Nevada
39 Choke Canyon Lake, Texas
40 Lake Seminole, Georgia/Florida
41 Congamond Lakes, Massachusetts
42 Table Rock Lake, Missouri
43 Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
44 Falls Lake, North Carolina
45 Umpqua River, Oregon
46 Okoboji Lake, Iowa
47 Red River, Louisiana
48 Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado
49 DeGray Lake, Arkansas
50 Trap Pond, Delaware
51 Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri
52 Spirit Lake, Iowa
53 St. Lawrence River, New York
54 Squam Lake, New Hampshire
55 High Rock Lake, North Carolina
56 Arbuckle Lake, Oklahoma
57 Lake Tarpon, Florida
58 Apache Lake, Arizona
59 Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
60 Perry Reservoir, Kansas
61 Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee
62 Lake Wawasee, Indiana
63 Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
64 Lake Conroe, Texas
65 Noxon Rapids, Montana
66 Diamond Valley Lake, California
67 Summit Reservoir, Nebraska
68 Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
69 Rend Lake, Illinois
70 Lake Pleasant, Arizona
71 Lake Audubon, North Dakota
72 Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming
73 Harris Chain Of Lakes, Florida
74 Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
75 Ute Lake, New Mexico
76 Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
77 Wilson Reservoir, Kansas
78 Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico
79 Lake Oahe, South Dakota
80 Gull Lake, Minnesota
81 Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Isla, N.C./Virginia
82 Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
83 Lake Gaston, North Carolina
84 Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
85 Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
86 Tygart Lake, West Virginia
87 Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Kansas
88 O.H. Ivie, Texas
89 Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania
90 Lake Murray, South Carolina
91 Lake Sammamish, Washington
92 Lake Eufaula, Alabama/Georgia
93 Enid Reservoir, Mississippi
94 Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee
95 Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana
96 Manasquan Reservoir, New Jersey
97 Lake Mohave, Nevada
98 Lake Lanier, Georgia
99 Sebago Lake, Maine
100 McPhee Lake, Colorado 4
flyfisher reply :
I have fished # 78, 81, 76 & 89.
None other than the susky in the past few years though.
00 mod reply :
I have fished 5 of them, but will add another this coming year!
3, 12,16,51,93
Jeff
slainempire reply :
part of 76 is less than a 10 minute walk from my front door and where i caught the smallie in my avatar!
WRB reply :
Bassmaster needs to update this list!
I have fished 25 of these lakes: 7,8,10,11,17,19,20,24,30,32,33,35,38,42,51,53,58,59,66,70,73,89,91,92 and 97.
Tom
pbrussell reply :
Perry #60? Uhuh...
roadwarrior reply :
I have fished 12
flyfisher reply :
On 12/30/2013 at 12:57 AM, slainempire said:part of 76 is less than a 10 minute walk from my front door and where i caught the smallie in my avatar!
lucky SOB....lol
A-Jay reply :
Been out on:
4 Lake Erie, Michigan/Ohio/New York/Pennsylvania
43 Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
53 St. Lawrence River, New York
54 Squam Lake, New Hampshire
99 Sebago Lake, Maine
A-Jay
Dwight Hottle reply :
I have fished 2,4,13,21,53, & 98. I'm 15 minutes from 4.
NorcalBassin reply :
Two for me (#8 and 10) and the fishing was so good at Hayden when I was up there for a week I never bothered to drive the 10 minutes to get to #9.
Mike L reply :
Ive fished 2, 21, 36, 64, 73 and a few that should be on the list.
This year I have trips planned for 19 and 26.
Mike
jessejames556 reply :
61 Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee
82 Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
BigBassBarry reply :
I have fished
2 Lake Okeechobee, Florida
17 Grand Lake, Oklahoma
26 Lake Fork, Texas
30 Lake Of The Ozarks, Missouri
I would rate the four I have fished 1 fork 2 okeechobee 3 grand 4 lake of the ozarks.
I want to check off a couple more this year.
BigBassBarry reply :
On 12/30/2013 at 1:14 AM, WRB said:Bassmaster needs to update this list!
I have fished 25 of these lakes: 7,8,10,11,17,19,20,24,30,32,33,35,38,42,51,53,58,59,66,70,73,89,91,92 and 97.
Tom
That is pretty impressive, I hope to have fished that many some day.
plumworm reply :
#2 , #16, #19, #25, #34, #35, #36, #42, and a trip to #3 set for March. Add #17 and #47 from the new list.
Felix77 reply :
#5 and #14. Looking to add at least one more next season. 
webertime reply :
I live on #5, other than that #43.
Chris186 reply :
I have fished #16, #41, #73, and #74. Honestly, #41, Congamond, im not very impressed with. Im not sure how it made it up so far on the list. All of the others I have fished put that lake to shame. #74 is a personal favorite.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/30/2013 at 1:23 AM, pbrussell said:Perry #60? Uhuh...
None of those KS lakes should be on the list. My 2 favorite KS lakes aren't on the list, but they shouldn't be on there either.
MarkH024 reply :
16 & 51 for me. I've got some traveling to do.
Jrob78 reply :
That's an old list. This is the newest list from 2013
- Lake St. Clair, Michigan
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
- Clear Lake, California
- Lake Guntersville, Alabama
- Lake Erie, Michigan/Ohio/New York/Pennsylvania
- Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee
- Falcon Lake, Texas
- Lake Okeechobee, Florida
- San Joaquin Delta, California
- Toledo Bend Reservoir, Texas/Louisiana
- Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Kentucky Lake/Barkley Lake, Kentucky/Tennessee
- Thousand Islands, New York
- Rodman Reservoir/St. Johns River, Florida
- Grand Lake ‘O The Cherokees, Oklahoma
- Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
- Upper Mississippi River, Wisconsin/Minnesota/Iowa/Illinois
- Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri
- Potomac River, Maryland/Virginia
- Pickwick Lake, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee
- Columbia River, Washington/Oregon
- Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes, Florida
- Lake Amistad, Texas
- Lake Oroville, California
- Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
- Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
- Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
- Lake Fork, Texas
- Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Illinois/Indiana/Michigan
- Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
- Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
- Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
- Shasta Lake, California
- Lake Austin, Texas
- New River, West Virginia
- Rainy Lake, Minnesota
- Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
- Oneida Lake, New York
- Table Rock Lake, Missouri
- Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
- Lake Eufaula, Alabama/Georgia
- Lake of the Arbuckles, Oklahoma
- Lake Lanier, Georgia
- Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
- Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
- Lake Havasu, Arizona
- Lake Istokpoga, Florida
- Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina
- Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
- Summit Reservoir, Nebraska
- Lake Sammamish, Washington
- Florida Everglades, Florida
- Lake Berryessa, California
- Kezar Lake, Maine
- Lake Oahe, South Dakota
- Douglas Lake, Tennessee
- Okoboji Lake, Iowa
- Upper Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
- Louisiana Delta, Louisiana
- Lake Seminole, Georgia/Florida
- Apache Lake, Arizona
- Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
- Sebago Lake, Maine
- Lake Mead, Nevada
- Lake Gaston, North Carolina
- Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
- Spirit Lake, Iowa
- Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
- Lake Tarpon, Florida
- Lake Konawa, Oklahoma
- Rend Lake, Illinois
- Lake Conroe, Texas
- Falls Lake, North Carolina
- Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
- Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana
- Squam Lake, New Hampshire
- Lake Anna, Virginia
- Lake Murray, South Carolina
- Red River, Louisiana
- High Rock Lake, North Carolina
- Burt Lake, Michigan
- Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado
- Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Island, North Carolina/Virginia
- Perry Reservoir, Kansas
- Lake Mohave, Nevada
- Wilson Reservoir, Kansas
- Lake Audubon, North Dakota
- Navajo Lake, New Mexico
- Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania
- Lake Dunlap, Texas
- Lake Norman, North Carolina
- Lake Wawasee, Indiana
- Manasquan Reservoir, New Jersey
- Lay Lake, Alabama
- Webster Lake, Massachusetts
- DeGray Lake, Arkansas
- Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Cayuga Lake, New York
- Fayette County Reservoir, Texas
- Logan Martin Lake, Alabama
Frog Turds reply :
of the most recent list;
Naplock reply :
I have fished 4 (two Road Trips in 2005 and '06), 6 (lived nearby), 8 (stationed in Orlando ... twice), 11 (summer road trip while stationed in the great Naval State of Idaho), 12 (went to grade school nearby, though I don't recall them being particularly good in the 70's), 14 (several road trips while stationed in Jax), 25 (Family Vacation ... Sneak end a guided trip), 43 (several road trips while stationed in Jax), 48 (stationed in Charleston), 52 (High School in Ft Lauderdale), and 91 (I live across the street from it).
So all tolled, 11
Catt reply :
From list #1: 24
2, 3, 12, 15, 16, 19, 21, 26, 27, 28, 30, 36, 39, 40, 42, 47, 49, 51, 57, 64, 73, 82, 88, 92
LOL Y'all thought I only fished 1lake 
List #2: 28
WRB reply :
2013 list fished 22; 2, 3, 9, 13, 15, 18, 21, 24, 31, 32, 33, 37, 39, 41, 46, 51, 53, 61, 64, 66, 74, 85.
Tom
Mytoyzfishing reply :
Woho the second list has my home lake as #25 moving on up from #63. There is a public ramp for #25 4 miles from my house and a private ramp less than a mile.
slonezp reply :
Same 9 only in different order
tatertester reply :
These lists are very subjective to say the least!......Rating lakes is not an easy task to begin with, and many have their prejudices. There are any number of lakes that could be near the top that are not even on the list. Good conversation tho....A good question might be "which highly rated lakes have you fished that did not live up to their billing?".
mnbassman23 reply :
17 & 74 on the 2013 list.
rippin-lips reply :
I fished #2 from last years list. That place is huge,114,000 acres. Went in mid May. Caught a good many fish but nothing big. Should of went with a guide for 1 day.
Salamander12 reply :
My friend lives on #8 the san joaqin delta and I have my boat docked in his backyard I fish it almost everyday after work.
KyakR reply :
Only 3.....all in Maine: Sebego, Cobbesseecontee, Kezar. But boy, what a bucket list!! Just occurred to me how cool it would be to take a few months off after the Roadtrip and hit all of them that I could on the way to CA to see my son. Ah, the joys of retirement!! 
Nice_Bass reply :
Glad to see lake of the Ozarks made a push up, although for size and numbers I still think it could be higher.
Speaking of higher, whoever put Rend lake on at #69 is on drugs. Really, really good drugs. Shallow and dull, average numbers and size for IL. No chance it should be on there, let alone rated higher than others on those list.
slonezp reply :
On 12/30/2013 at 12:38 PM, tatertester said:These lists are very subjective to say the least!......Rating lakes is not an easy task to begin with, and many have their prejudices. There are any number of lakes that could be near the top that are not even on the list. Good conversation tho....A good question might be "which highly rated lakes have you fished that did not live up to their billing?".
That is a good question but also relative. Out of the 9 lakes I listed, 3 of them stand out, but I have put plenty of time on only 2 of those bodies of water, KY Lake and Lake Michigan. Most of the other trips were 1/2-1 week long trips with zero experience on that particular body of water. I have found KY Lake and Guntersville easy to fish, meaning easy to find fish with minimal work. Some fish of quality and some being average. Table Rock, LOZ, and Bull Shoals were more difficult for me. Toho was a dud in Feburary under coldfront conditions. I've been fishing Lake Michigan for close to 40 years and it's still a work in progress. I'm still trying to break the 6lb mark for a smallie.
Catt reply :
Many of these lakes are part of the allure of bass fishing & the reason I took time to visit them.
Catching was Lagniappe
Chance_Taker4 reply :
4, 13, 16, 82, 94 used to live in TN awhile back now I live in Ohio. 4 is less than 5 minutes from my house.
Hyrule Bass reply :
Smith Mountain Lake, Potomac River, Gaston and Kerr/Buggs Island
daiwaguy reply :
3 from list 2; LOZ, Table Rock and Bull Shoals
kickbasskid reply :
I live in central ohio so I have fished 0 but hoping to add 1 or 2 this summer.
Nitrofreak reply :
3 for me , 31 Potomac , 63 Smith Mountain , 81 Buggs Island
Wayne P. reply :
From the 2013 list:
1, 4, 19, 22, 25, 28, 65, 73, 77, 83
gobig reply :
I have fished all of the California and Oregon lakes on the list. Not sure the criteria they use but it would help if BASS came out to California more than once every 5 years. At least they moved Clearlake up the list. How many lakes can you catch a 30lb bag and not even cut a check? Oroville in the top 25 over Berryessa, Shasta and Bullards? Really? I do not understand the fascination with Oroville. I can think of several lakes near by that are better than Oroville and not on the list.
NEjitterbugger reply :
I have fished 43 and 54, the two in my New Hampshire...
Bassintheweeds reply :
7 Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
18 Kezar Lake, Maine
24 Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
34 Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Illinois/Indiana/Michigan
51 Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas/Missouri
70 Lake Pleasant, Arizona
74 Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
99 Sebago Lake, Maine
not too shabby for 18 years. Should be adding kentucky lake, saint lawerence, and the big O on 2014.
ww2farmer reply :
#4, and #21 for me.
FishinDaddy reply :
8,20,22,47,52,69.
And for the life of me, I can't figure out how #69, Tarpon, made any list, for any reason, ever.
wnybassman reply :
4, 5, 14, 21, 43, 53 and 82
George Welcome reply :
On 1/1/2014 at 11:44 AM, FishinDaddy said:8,20,22,47,52,69.
And for the life of me, I can't figure out how #69, Tarpon, made any list, for any reason, ever.
They were smoking something on that one.
Pete-K reply :
Sad I had to grow up on Ky/Pickwick lake. Sad sad.
bonzai22 reply :
Illinois only has one lake on the list and its 4 hours away from me that sucks buttermilk lol. But ive fished 16, 36, and 90.
Jaheff reply :
Only 6 for me,
24,33,38,59,66,and 97
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