(This is part 1 of a 4 part series on Bass Fishing Basics)  It may be a toss-up between bass and trout as to which is the most popular for anglers in the north state but nationwide, bass fishing has become an industry onto its own. What’s more, the popularity of bass angling stretches to such locations as Japan, Mexico, Australia, Southern Africa and some European countries.

In addition, it seems that there is a new boat, motor, electronic innovation and certainly new tackle and techniques introduced every year all designed for the pursuit of bass. California has been at the forefront of many bass fishing innovations. The flipping technique, for one, was founded on the Delta waters, the use of finesse drop-shot techniques and large trout imitation swimbaits were, if not initially developed here (always some chicken and egg debate) were perfected on California waters.

Northern California anglers are blessed with some of the best Black Bass waters in the nation. Bassmaster Magazine, which is recognized as one top publications for bass anglers in the nation, has listed many Northern California waters in their annual top 100 bass waters in the nation survey. Clear Lake and the Delta are perennials for top 10 if not top 5 recognition. Shasta Lake, Lake Oroville and Lake Berryessa are also yearly favorites. New Bullard's Bar has found recent inclusion having produced the current as well as a few recent world record Spotted Bass. Trinity Lake, Thermalito Afterbay, Collins Lake, Lake Sonoma, Whiskeytown, Ruth Lake, Black Butte, Almanor and Britton are just a few other lakes that can produce excellent bass fishing in the North State and are included in many anglers' list of favorites in the region.

Bass Species in California
There are 6 species of bass in California waters: Largemouth, Spotted, Smallmouth, Redeye, White and Striped Bass. Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth inhabit many of the lakes around the north state. Redeye Bass are limited to Lake Oroville in the north state, as well as a few lakes and small streams in Southern and Central California; however, these are generally not caught in great numbers. White Bass are found only in Lake Nacimiento in Central California where strict regulations prohibit transport of these fish to any other waters.

Striped Bass are very popular anadromous fish that may migrate from salt to freshwater although many stripers remain in fresh water year round. They are found in many rivers, bays and ocean waters along the north coast. The Delta and tributaries are popular striper waters with stripers caught as far inland as Oroville on the Feather River and Red Bluff and above on the Sacramento. Stripers are also caught in many lakes in Central California and in waters that are supplied by canals transporting water into the Central Valley and Southern California. In fact, the state record striper was taken in O'Neil Forebay, just west of Los Banos in 1992 and weighed in at 67.8 pounds, water that is part of the California Aqueduct. A larger striper weighing in at 70.6 pounds was also reportedly caught in 2008 in the same waters. Striper fishing techniques are subject for future articles as they often differ from the more popular and widespread “Black Bass.”… To be continued.

Gary Heffley has been a valued contributor to MyOutdoorBuddy for over 10 years serving as manager, sales representative and reporter for much of Northern California. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to fish and write about his adventures. He has a long history in the Sporting Goods field and uses that extensive experience to impart his wisdom in his writing.