BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, Bassmaster Magazine is honoring one of America’s greatest public treasures, its world-class bass fisheries.

Today, the publication releases its annual 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, showcasing the nation’s premier destinations for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fishing from coast to coast. This year’s rankings embrace the spirit of America250, highlighting the incredible diversity of public waters that belong to every American and reminding anglers that some of the country’s greatest adventures begin at a local boat ramp.

“From sea to shining sea, America is blessed with an incredible variety of bass fisheries,” said James Hall, Editor-in-Chief of Bassmaster Magazine. “Whether it’s the tidal rivers of the East Coast, legendary Southern reservoirs, crystal-clear Northern lakes or trophy fisheries in the West, these waters are part of our nation’s outdoor heritage. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, there’s no better time to hitch up the boat and experience the very best bass fishing our country has to offer.”

Compiled by the editorial staff of Bassmaster Magazine, the rankings are based on tournament results, state fisheries data, input from fisheries biologists, B.A.S.S. Nation leaders and local experts, as well as feedback from anglers across the country.

Full rankings can be found in the July/August issue of Bassmaster Magazine and on Bassmaster.com.

Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2026

1. Clear Lake, California — The nation’s premier trophy largemouth destination.
2. Lake J.B. Thomas, Texas — The hottest emerging big-bass fishery in America.
3. St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York — World-renowned for giant smallmouth bass.
4. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina — A legendary trophy largemouth factory.
5. Lake St. Clair, Michigan — One of the world’s finest smallmouth fisheries.
6. Lake Fork, Texas — A perennial producer of double-digit largemouth.
7. Lake Tohopekaliga/Kissimmee Chain, Florida — Florida’s premier destination for giant bass.
8. O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas — Continues its remarkable run of trophy bass production.
9. Withlacoochee River/Lake Rousseau, Florida — Consistent producer of heavyweight largemouth.
10. Caney Creek Reservoir, Louisiana — A small lake with outsized trophy potential.

Regional Top 25

Best Bass Lakes – Northeastern Division

1. St. Lawrence River, New York
2. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
3. Lake Erie, New York
4. Lake Erie, Ohio/Michigan
5. Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
6. Burt/Mullett lakes, Michigan
7. Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan
8. Cayuga Lake, New York
9. Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
10. Bays de Noc, Michigan
11. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
12. Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
13. China Lake, Maine
14. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
15. Presque Isle Bay/Lake Erie Central Basin, Pennsylvania
16. Great Pond, Maine
17. Oneida Lake, New York
18. Upper Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
19. Saginaw Bay, Michigan
20. Potomac River, Maryland/West Virginia/Virginia
21. Chautauqua Lake, New York
22. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
23. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
24. Pymatuning Reservoir, Ohio/Pennsylvania
25. Shenango River Lake, Pennsylvania

Best Bass Lakes – Southeastern Division

1. Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina
2. Lake Tohopekaliga/Kissimmee Chain, Florida
3. Withlacoochee River/Lake Rousseau, Florida
4. Lake Guntersville, Alabama
5. Lake Murray, South Carolina
6. Albemarle Sound/Pasquotank River/Roanoke River/Chowan River/North River/Alligator River, North Carolina
7. Falls Lake, North Carolina
8. Orange Lake, Florida
9. Jordan Lake, North Carolina
10. Fellsmere Reservoir/Headwaters/Lake Egan, Florida
11. Lake Lanier, Georgia
12. Pickwick Lake, Alabama/Tennessee/Mississippi
13. Lake Eufaula, Alabama/Georgia
14. Clarks Hill Reservoir, Georgia/South Carolina
15. Lake Talquin, Florida
16. Kentucky Lake, Tennessee/Kentucky
17. Lake Seminole, Georgia/Florida
18. Cooper River, South Carolina
19. High Rock Lake, North Carolina
20. Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee/Kentucky
21. Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida
22. Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi
23. South Holston Reservoir, Tennessee/Virginia
24. Nickajack Lake, Tennessee
25. Lake Chatuge, North Carolina/Georgia

Best Bass Lakes – Central Division

1. Lake J.B. Thomas, Texas
2. Lake Fork, Texas
3. O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas
4. Caney Creek Reservoir, Louisiana
5. Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana
6. Toledo Bend, Louisiana/Texas
7. Mille Lacs, Minnesota
8. Upper Mississippi River, Wisconsin/Minnesota
9. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
10. Black Bayou Lake, Louisiana
11. Bois d’Arc Lake, Texas
12. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Oklahoma
13. West Okoboji Lake, Iowa
14. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma/Texas
15. Millwood Lake, Arkansas
16. Lake Ray Roberts, Texas
17. La Cygne Lake, Kansas
18. Lake D’Arbonne, Louisiana
19. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
20. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma
21. Lake Claiborne, Louisiana
22. Table Rock Lake, Missouri
23. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas
24. Belton Lake, Texas
25. Lake Conroe, Texas

Best Bass Lakes – Western Division

1. Clear Lake, California
2. Diamond Valley Lake, California
3. Lake Isabella, California
4. Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
5. Lake Spokane/Long Lake, Washington
6. Lake Perris, California
7. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California
8. Moses Lake, Washington
9. Sprague Lake, Washington
10. Lower Otay Reservoir, California
11. Lake Casitas, California
12. Apache Lake, Arizona
13. Lake Washington, Washington
14. Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
15. Noxon Rapids Reservoir, Montana
16. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
17. Siltcoos Lake, Oregon
18. Potholes Reservoir, Washington
19. Lower Colorado River, Arizona/California
20. Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona
21. Eastman Lake, California
22. Sand Hollow Reservoir, Utah
23. Navajo Lake, New Mexico/Colorado
24. Tenmile Lakes, Oregon
25. Pelican Lake, Utah

States with the Most Lakes in the Rankings

• Texas: 10
• California: 9
• Florida: 7
• Michigan: 7
• Louisiana: 6
• New York: 6
• North Carolina: 5
• Georgia: 5
• Tennessee: 5
• Washington: 5

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com 

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SOURCE B.A.S.S.