Week #5—California, Clear Lake: Largemouths
This sprawling, clear, 44,000-acre lake near Clear Lake, California is often referred to as the “Bass Capital of the West.” While some other waters may stake claim to that title, too, (including a number of California lakes near San Diego), Clear Lake has a long history of good fishing, and a stellar pedigree for yielding oversize Florida-strain largemouths.
One recent event during the month of March, California anglers have boated an impressive two-day tournament catch of 45-pounds, 11-ounces on Clear Lake, along with another California angler that caught a giant 12-pound, 7-ounce fish during the same event. Yet these impressive bass tournament catches still pale to the record Clear Lake bass weighing 17 ½ pounds, caught one February in only three feet of water.
Clear Lake has excellent angler facilities, with numerous launch ramps, boat rental spots, marinas and lake-side facilities. The Lake County Visitor Information Center (lakecounty.com) can provide visiting anglers with a wealth of area information.