10 Best Bass Fishing States in America
By: Matt Straw
(Photo courtesy of In-Fisherman.com)
Bass are the American sweethearts of the freshwater world right now. Tournament popularity? Maybe – but it’s primarily because bass are found in so many states – including Hawaii. But which states are best?
Some of the best bass fishing states favor spotted bass, some are better for smallies, some are loaded with largemouths, and a few have all three. Some have phenomenal numbers, some have size, and a few have both. All contain a few “secret” spots nobody’s talking about, beyond the stark glare of media attention.
So anglers from almost any state can claim they live in bassin’ heaven. Some states, however, are obviously better than others. So, how to create a top 10 best list of states for bass fishing? Conservation efforts protecting bass and their habitat have something to do with it. Media coverage of specimens that include state and world records have an impact. Accessibility is considered. A healthy number of venues is a must. Quality and number of great bass waters hold the most weight. How many big fish waters exist? How many reservoirs, lakes and rivers in the state hold world-class numbers of bass, and how many harbor real trophies? And how consistent is the action, year after year?
Certainly, Utah has some world-class smallmouth fishing – but the number of venues is limited. Giant bass are caught in Arizona, but the reservoirs can dry up completely in drought years. Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri have the potential to grow big bass and lots of them. Certainly, anglers from those states would include them, but timing is a factor, too. Anglers that have been around a while know that good fishing comes and goes – and right now the bass fishing in Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan might be better than ever before.
Tourism statistics also reveal that the following states are visited often for purposes of fishing bass of one species or another. Bringing up the point – which is better? A smallmouth, a spot or a bucketmouth? Impossible to determine. All are equal in our eyes, giving an 8 pound smallmouth about the same value as a 20 pound largemouth, or a 7 pound spot. Which further complicates the following list. So we present the states in alphabetical order. Which of the ten is best? You decide.
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