UTERLargemouth bass fishing in California freshwater
In California freshwater, largemouth bass peak March–June and October–November and are around year-round, spawning in April–May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Clear Lake and Castaic on the beds; Delta tules full of spawners.
Delta fall frog bite in the mats.
Largemouth bass in California freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryArrivingClear Lake and the Delta big females staging — swimbaits and jigs.
- MarchPeakClear Lake and Castaic on the beds; Delta tules full of spawners.
- AprilSpawningDelta bass spawning on the tules; punching mats starts.
- MaySpawning
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeakDelta fall frog bite in the mats.
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish largemouth bass near Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville
The Delta's tule-lined sloughs, Clear Lake's trophy bass, the foothill spotted-bass reservoirs, the Sacramento's salmon and striper runs, the Sierra's trout streams and high lakes, and the southern reservoirs' Florida-strain giants.
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in California freshwater?
Peak season is March–June and October–November, with fish spawning in April–May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are here year-round. March: Clear Lake and Castaic on the beds; Delta tules full of spawners.
Where do largemouth bass hold in California freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville, Bullards Bar, Lake Shasta, Eastern Sierra.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in California freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in California freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
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All about largemouth bass · California fresh water, the whole year