Bass Lake is a stunningly clear reservoir along the San Joaquin River in the heart of California, outside Fresno. This popular recreation area is home to a diverse fishery, which goes well beyond its namesake species.

Many anglers travel to Bass Lake to fish for kokanee salmon, a form of landlocked sockeye salmon, during the spring and summer months. The kokanee grow to about 20 inches in size and vary from spectacular silver to stunning reds. They are typically found deep, so baits on downriggers from 40 to 100 feet are usually necessary. There is no better place in the world to land dozens of these hard fighters which also make delicious table fare.

As the weather turns cooler, rainbow trout season begins and remains quite active as long as the water doesn’t warm up. These rainbows can be taken on spinners, or even plain old night crawlers.

Other species that can be caught most anytime from spring to fall are largemouth and spotted bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The bass are notoriously picky - so much so that several lure manufacturers test their designs in this lake. Largemouth bass up to 15 lb can be caught, but 1-3 lb spots are the most common bite.

Anglers should be aware that water sports are as equally popular at Bass Lake as fishing. This means weekends, especially during the summer, see boaters, water skiers, and wakeboarders across the lake. Though fishing is possible anytime, try Tuesdays to Thursdays if you want more of a quiet experience.