Clear Lake in California is a major hotspot for bass anglers from all over the world. Its green waters are packed with trophy fish, from largemouth bass to giant catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The water gets its color from phytoplankton and algae, which support the huge population of minnows and baitfish that make this fishery thrive.

When it comes to bass fishing, Clear Lake is in a class of its own. The bass here average an impressive 2-4 pounds year round, but you’ll often find 5-7 pounders, and catching one over 10 pounds isn’t unusual. No wonder Bassmaster Magazine ranked it third on their list of the top 100 bass fishing lakes in the US. Even with large amount of fishing pressure from tournaments and other anglers, Clear Lake continues to offer top tier bass fishing for both size and numbers.

Crappie fishing here is just as impressive. In 2021, a record crappie weighing 4lb 5oz was caught. March and April are the best months for crappie fishing, especially around docks and brush pile. It's not unheard of to easily reel in 50 or more crappie in a day.

Catfish fans should hit the lake after dark for the best action, although daytime fishing can also be excellent. With a max depth of 56 feet and plenty of flats, Clear Lake is perfect for soaking cutbait on the bottom in a variety of areas. Targeting those areas at night often leads to big numbers and some massive catfish.

Clear Lake’s 100-mile shoreline is packed with resorts, campgrounds, and over 25 fishing tournaments each year, so it gets busy, especially in the warmer months. Still, this lake delivers unprecedented catch rates and big fish all year long.