Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Snake River. Arrive early to get a spot when fishing is at its peak. Recreational access and camping along the hundreds of miles of shoreline is handled by the National Park Service. Since then, the jerkbait market has been flooded with realistic options, but the Megabass still reigns king. We also grow them big. Potholes Reservoir is simply among the bucket list largemouth bass-fishing spots in all of Washington. I find the action of this bait sets it apart from others. BLM and DNR access areas provide decent boat launches and a small camping area along the southern and eastern shore. Is Lake Lanier good for fishing? Originally from Las Vegas and now living in Spokane, Tyler Brinks has had plenty of time to ply the waters of all three. When they do bite, a scented lure will make them hold onto the bait longer than an unscented one. Smallmouths are a little bit different story, both due to the species' nomadic lifestyle, as well as Lake Washington's physical makeup. Sunglasses and sunscreen Try to bring your favorite sun screen and if you forget, dont worry I have plenty. "I'll work it down to deeper fish, like on Banks Lake, over the deep rocky points. For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Thousands of sand dune islands harbor grassy weed lines perfect for largemouth bass with many up to 6 pounds. They are often one of the first lures I fish when exploring new areas. Versatile and meant to produce maximum action with minimal forward movement. Hardbaits tend to be a little more pricey, so it is important to pick usable lures. Every one of the following lakes is known for great bass fishing from time to time. Moses Lake Found west of Moses Lake-town. With spring quickly springing, the bass fishing on various rivers and lakes will heat up soon. The Keitech Swing Impact is the best swimbait to match schools of bait in color and size at a fair price. In addition to working the 120 miles of shoreline for smallmouth bass, anglers also fish for catfish, crappie, trout, whitefish, panfish and perch. But just because the fish live there doesn't make 25 pounds a slam-dunk. He added all of the little touches that some of the competitors lack, like swiveling hook hangers to prevent a jumping or surging fish from throwing the lure and leaving you heartbroken. Brinks suggests football jigs or deep-diving crankbaits, like the Strike King 10XD, are good choices here. Though some most popular Bass fish spots are enlisted here, nonetheless Washingtons all lowland lakes pour in Bass fish. This means anglers can catch their first bass and their last bass of the year on one of these three lakes.". Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. Fishing a chatterbait is simple, you cast it out and reel it in, which is great for casting and moving. H&H Angler & Outfitter (360-733-2050) in Bellingham has bass gear. What's this means to the angler looking for something to do in between runs or simply as a switch from the traditional diet, literally and figuratively, of anadromous species? He or she doesn't have to go very far to fall into some fantastic largemouth or smallmouth action. The best time to fish them is the early season when bass are pre-spawn and looking to pack on the weight. However, the Jackhammer offers more of a hunting action that deflects off of all kinds of cover and provokes fish to bite. Here are some of the best early spring bass fishing lures to try this season: 1. In this article, we narrow down the lakes that stand above the rest. Swofford Pond. That's over a 4-pound average. When bounced on a drop shot rig it can mimic a dying baitfish or a fleeing crustacean. But (the WDFW) has created some environment and habitat for warm-water fish, and the climate is shifting toward warmer temperatures.". The next most important thing is movement. When it comes to big largemouth bass, look no further than Silver Lake. ", It's a deep lake, Brinks points out, with an abundance of rocky points, cliffs and offshore humps. Bass quickly ramp up their appetite and gorge on the plentiful panfish prey. This year the limit was 5 per day, under 18. For moving baits, lures with a lot of vibration can attract fish from far off. Its lightly fished and needs to be on every smallmouth junkies bucket list. Come summer, ponds and lakes can be overgrown with vegetation that frogs love. Its a year-round tool, but few lures beat it in cold water situations thanks to its precision engineering. "Banks is really on the rebound," Brinks says. Skeeter Bass Boat with a Mercury 225 EFI and Minn Kota Talons for shallow water. In reality, it is difficult to say this is the best bass lure because every bait excels in a particular situation. Public access is located on the southeast edge in Grays Landing. Eloika Lake is a great place to fish from shore or from a boat. To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements. Scott Oglanian caught his personal-best largemouth bass when, as he messaged, I went back to get my glasses that fell off my hat, figured Id take some casts.. We may not have as many bass per acre here, but we often break the 20-pound mark for a five-fish limit all the time on a lot of different waters.". Subscriber Services. 5) Lake Washington. Recommended Reading: Deep Sea Fishing Newport Oregon. He was a salmon angler and gave a presentation on all the bass he'd caught. The National Wild Turkey Federation's mission to conserve wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century. Palmer Lake. Good soft plastics that are infused with salt and garlic produce a scent trail in the water that will bring fish in to investigate. Interestingly enough, given Washington's angling tradition of salmon fishing, there does seem to be an increase in the number of bass anglers hitting the water each season, as well as those fishermen who make the transition from salmon and steelhead to warm-water species like bass. Here topwater lures like frogs or poppers are a good bet. But youll also find decent populations of largemouth as well. WebOften the best opportunities to fish for bass are in the morning or evening. "The lake is over 200 feet deep, and it just drops straight down," Garrett says. However, this bait really shines as a trailer with other baits. Lake Washington is located between Seattle and Bellevue, Washington. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. Situated in Grant County, Potholes massive expanse spreads over 28,200 ecologically divers acres. "I can't say world-class largemouths because of the latitude we're at. As with any fishery in the state, regulations can change so always consult the WDFW Fishing Regulations for the final word. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. You will be very comfortable, even if the wind blows a little. Over 3,000 acres of grassy shoreline, giant lily pad beds plus a patchwork of points, channels and bays create some of the finest bass habitat around. Give them a try and learn what fits your style of fishing best.. If this is the case, the best baits are bottom baits which can drag past lethargic fish and produce a strike. Smallmouth bass are a huge draw for most anglers. Lures that imitate smaller fish, crayfish, frogs or other prey are often effective. Unfortunately, the best way to test this is with time on the water. Vibrax Spinner. Lake Kapowsin is the smallest lake on this list covering only 512 acres. If youre just getting into bass fishing, you can get by with a few bags of Senko worms to fish around. Anglers who know the Columbia sometimes enjoy triple-digit catch days during May and June, when the smallmouths spawn. Best for Searching for Concentrations: Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap. Most of the lake is less than 20 feet deep so it warms fast and grows big bass. These resident Sockeye Salmon live their entire life cycle in the lake and never make it to sea. Your best bet is to match the worm color to what the fish are eating and youre on the way to catching fish. Best for Flipping Heavy Cover: Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver. Two favorite poppers are Storms Arashi Cover Pop and the legendary Rapala Skitter Pop. In fact, its only fifteen miles away from Banks Lakes Dry Falls, ten miles away from Summer Falls, and seven miles away from Blue Lake. "I go with simple colors on the topwater baits bone or white.". Nothing is quite as exhilarating or as picturesque as landing a king salmon out of the Columbia River. Washington waters offer many excellent options for days spent catching largemouths or smallmouths. If the fish are lethargic and not willing to chase it down, you can drag it on the bottom like you would a jig. There are hundreds, if not thousands of companies producing effective bass baits and it is overwhelming to sift through them all. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. We're still going to have good runs of salmon up the Columbia and into Puget Sound," he continues, "so the pressure on the department from the salmon fishing community isn't going to go away. By changing up the size, shape and color of your trailer, it offers multiple baits in one. We do not offer a shared boat for Bass fishing. One WDFW boat ramp gets you on the water at the north end of the lake. All Rights Reserved. Try reaction baits first because the catching is quicker if they'll hammer a lipless crankbait. For many of the warm-water anglers in Pacific northwest, this is a super destination spot. It may be at its best around vegetation, triggering strikes when you rip it free, but dont hesitate to fish it in open water, too, where it replicates the look of just about any baitfish that swims. The state record largemouth bass crossed the 12.5 pound mark in 2016. Sometimes that requires moving to a different depth range or another part of the lake altogether, but even that might not be enough if youre not using the best spring bass lures. For a good drop shot, bait scent is key and the Roboworms have a salt release system that tricks fish into holding on longer. Its close proximity to the Seattle metro area makes it a popular recreational destination but the vast, 21,933 acre lake allows bass anglers to find their own space to chase trophy largemouth and smallmouth. As far as moving baits a chatterbait can imitate most baitfish patterns effectively and covers a lot of water. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more. And when we write about a productwhether its a bass lure or a backpackwe cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase. Or take on the lakes walleye, panfish and even trout. Strike Kings popular Rage Tail series of lures are meant to produce maximum action with minimal forward movement. There also is a resort with dock fishing. "These work year-round." When walleyes are shallow, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and rip baits are the often very productive. The Storm 1/2-ounce Cover Pop creates a loud bloop when popped, tempting bass tucked into nearby cover to strike. Cant make it to one of the top 9 bass fishing lakes in Washington State? We have rolled back some of these regulations on some waters, like the Columbia River, because it's extremely difficult to manage bass while you're simultaneously trying to protect salmon stocks. WebQuail Lake is best known for its large population of stripers. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Fishing holds up through early summer when a switch to soft plastics is key to extending the bite. The Columbia River rivals the Great Lakes for smallmouths. The lures I selected will cover all the basic bass fishing situations and are great starting points. . I fish it around shallow cover primarily and prefer a crayfish pattern like the Delta Red. If you want to add scent to a hard bait there are plenty of sprays that you can add to the lure to attract fish. Depending on water levels, some sections can be waded, but a better approach is to float it in a craft that can handle some whitewater. Unique Design: Balancer system for long casts, Must-have Colors: French Pearl, Elegy Bone, GG Illusion Tennessee Shad, Unique Design: Narrow body can be ripped from grass, Must-have Colors: Chrome Blue Back, Rayburn Red Craw, Gold, Unique Design: Patented Rage claws move a lot of water, Must-have Colors: Pearl, Watermelon Red Flake, Junebug, Versatility, can also be used as a jig trailer or in a swimming presentation, Size: 3 inches, 4 inches, 5, inches, 6 inches, 7 inches, Unique Design: Looks like a Bic pen poured in plastic, Must-have Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon with Black and Red Flake, Black with Red Flake, Salty plastic formula makes it heavy enough to cast without weight, Unique Design: Premium components throughout, Must-have Colors: Fire Craw, Green Pumpkin, White, Patented design allows head and blade to make knocking sound, Costs two to three times as much as the competitor, Unique Design: Includes snap and extra tail to maintain perfect swimming action, Must-have Colors: Blue Back Herring, Rainbow Trout, Oikawa Mesu, Large size may require specialized tackle. 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