Listed below is a list of the hottest and most well known locations for extraordinary bass fishing.  Be sure to stock up on fishing rods, fishing reels, and lures so you can take full advantage of an amazing and eventful day if you visit any of these wonderful fishing destinations.

Lake Fork, Texas

Texas is arguably one of the greatest states for bass fishing, with enough productive lakes and streams to make a sizable list in its own right.  For the first of three Texas bass fishing lakes on this list, we will start with Lake Fork.  More state record bass have been caught on this 27,690 surface acre body of water than anywhere else in the entire state.  While the amount of largemouth bass within this lake is unparalleled in Texas, finding bass exceeding 10 pounds can be a challenge.  Patience is the key, but the rewards are well worth it.  Seeing how the lake is only a couple hours east of Dallas, Fork Lake attracts a lot of bass fishing attention, be prepared to share some water space with other eager anglers. Here is some information about Lake Fork.

Falcon Reservoir, Texas

Located on the Texas and Mexico border, Falcon Lake has experienced a renaissance over the last decade to become known one of the best bass fishing hotspots in North America.  It's nearly impossible to beat the amount of trophy-sized bass, 10 pound or greater found in this body of water.  The challenging part is that changing water levels can make enticing the bass tricky, and some of the strong winds that make their way through the area don’t help either.  Despite all the tricky conditions, when the bass are biting you’re in for a workout.  Here is some information on Falcon Reservoir.

O.H. Ivie, Texas

West Texas is a much more popular region for bass fishing, but the east side the O.H. Ivie Reservoir ranks up there with the best lakes in the state for whopper sized largemouth bass.  Because it is still kind of a secret, it doesn’t receive near the amount of bass fishing attention as the Falcon Reservoir or Lake Fork.  There are many 10 pounders out there waiting to be caught, and it is believed that catching a state record over 15 pounds is entirely possible on this reservoir.  The lake offers plenty of cover, but some of the best fishing hotspots are out in deeper water at around 25 feet.  Here is some information about O.H. Ivie.

Table Rock Lake, Missouri

This lake is a very popular choice for tournaments sponsored by both B.A.S.S. and FLW tours.  Part of the reason this lake is so popular is the fact that fishing here is great year round and also because it’s not only largemouth that get attention on this lake.  Both smallmouth and spotted bass are in great abundance on Table Rock Lake, making a trifecta of excellent bass fishing possibilities for this southern Missouri lake.  The lake is well known for its deep-water bass fishing from the onset of the summer season all the way through December.  Here is some information on Table Rock Lake.

Lake Guntersville, Alabama

Guntersville is another lake that sees a lot of tournament action, again due in part to the sheer number of bass swimming the depths.  Fishing here hits its peak in late winter and certainly is the season that sees the most action from trophy hunters.  However, unlike some of the other lakes on this list, catching a good amount of trophy sized bass is very difficult.  Practice makes perfect on this lake. In order to succeed on Lake Guntersville, finding the right place at the right time with the right technique is more important than on all the other bass lakes.  Here is some information about Lake Guntersville.

Castaic Lake, California

Located 25 miles north of Los Angeles, this lake is a popular destination for boaters, swimmers, and of course, trophy bass anglers.  Catching a fish in the 12 to 15 pound range is not too uncommon, but that isn’t what makes Castaic Lake so special.  How about the chance for a world record?  There is not a better place in the United States to find bass over 20 pounds.  Catching such a monster is very rare, but entirely possible on Castaic Lake in sunny California.  Here is some information on Castaic Lake.

Lake Okeechobee, Florida

Site of the recent FLW Tour, Lake Okeechobee has more than enough bass in its waters to appease the massive number of anglers that fish it.  The biggest lake in Florida, Okeechobee is filled with largemouth bass.  Unlike Guntersville and Castaic, Okeechobee produces monster fish, while at the same time holding more than enough smaller sized bass to keep the excitement level at a premium making this a prime bass fishing lake.  Here is some information about Lake Okeechobee.

Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

The largest lake in the state of Arkansas, Ouachita is not only consistently ranked among the top ten in bass fishing lakes by numerous critics, but considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be one of the cleanest lakes in the country.  Surrounded by serene national forests, this pristine lake is often the site of big time fishing tournaments including the FLW Forrest Woods Cup later this year, one of the biggest tournaments in the world.  The lake is just as well known for its striped bass fishery as well producing some amazing fishing hotspots.  Here is some information on Lake Ouachita.

Lake Erie

Largemouth bass get all the glory in the U.S., but this list will show a little love for its less popular cousin, the smallmouth.  While picking the very best largemouth bass lake is open for debate, it’s hard to deny Lake Erie’s status as the ultimate bass fishing hotspot for smallmouth bass in the world.  It’s not just the size of fish that makes Lake Erie so productive, it’s also how widespread they are throughout the great lake making mass amounts of fishing hotspots.  During the pre spawn, if you happen to find a rocky structure with a drop off, there’s likely to be a school of smallies hovering around.  Here is some more information about Lake Erie.

Lake Champlain, Vermont-New York

Lake Champlain is a popular destination for anglers because both smallmouth and largemouth bass can be found in great abundance.  Having that variety is an attractive quality.  For example, if a cold front seems to scare away the largemouth, smallies could still be willing for a snack.  Better yet, on a perfect day when both species are biting, it’s up to you to decide what you feel like targeting.  At 112 miles long, there are plenty of bass fishing hotspots to go around for everyone.  Here is some information on Lake Champlain.

Do you have any superb locations or exciting fishing stories from one of the mentioned lakes that you would like to share with other anglers? Please leave a comment below on the outdoor news section and find all your fishing sporting goods at PoorFish Outdoors.