BY DAVE HURLEY
LAKEPORT – Northern California’s Clear Lake was named the best bass fishery in the United States this past week, buoyed by record-setting action throughout the past year. The highlight of an amazing spring was the three-day 102.81-pound limit for 15 fish during the 2025 Western Outdoor News Bass Clear Lake Open in April. Pearl weighed in 67.31 pounds over the first two days before breaking the three-day record with 35.50 pounds on the final day. 30 to 35 pounds has been the standard for taking first throughout the spring and summer months, unheard of five-fish totals.
Consecutive years of high water levels and a large accumulation of threadfin shad have contributed to the amazing fishery.
Double-digit largemouth bass continue to be churned out despite heavy tournament and regular angling pressure. B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Gene Gilliland said. “This fishery has endured decades of tournament traffic and still produces monsters year-round. It’s a testament to both the ecosystem’s productivity and sound fisheries management.” According to the BassMaster press released, ‘The 2025 rankings were developed through a combination of tournament data, fishery reports from state wildlife agencies and feedback from thousands of anglers across the country. More than 500 bodies of water were evaluated in the process.’
Kent Brown of the Ultimate Bass Radio Show added, “During our tournament jamboree meeting on July 11, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported the average size of a fish weighed in during tournaments this year was over 4 pounds.”
So, it’s official what most northern California anglers have known for a while, Clear Lake is the best bass fishery in the United States.
