UTERSpotted bass fishing in California freshwater
In California freshwater, spotted bass peak October–May and are around year-round, spawning in April–May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Bullards Bar and Oroville — the world's biggest spots on the deep rock.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Spotted bass in California freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakBullards Bar and Oroville — the world's biggest spots on the deep rock.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeakPre-spawn giants on the points.
- AprilSpawningOn the beds in Oroville and New Melones.
- MaySpawning
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish spotted 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 spotted bass
- 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.
- 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.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–86°F water, best at 58–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch spotted bass in California freshwater?
Peak season is October–May, with fish spawning in April–May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Spotted bass are here year-round. January: Bullards Bar and Oroville — the world's biggest spots on the deep rock.
Where do spotted bass hold in California freshwater?
Look on reservoir, river, lake, dock / pilings, bridge — around Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville, Bullards Bar, Lake Shasta, Eastern Sierra.
What is the best bait for spotted bass in California freshwater?
Live bait: crayfish, minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers. Crayfish: Hooked 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. 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 spotted 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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