With the sale of fishing licenses climbing, bass fishing is reeling in new fans. "There's a huge influx of young blood," says James Hall, editor of Bassmaster magazine, citing high schools and colleges that are adding competitive fishing teams. Hall shares some favorites from the magazine's annual list of the top 100 bass-fishing lakes with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Lake Coeur d'Alene
Idaho
Even if the fishing weren't good here, Hall says he'd still journey to this spot for its beauty. But the lake stands out because of the different ways you can catch bass. "You can fish shallow by the bank, or you can go to 30 to 40 feet of water and catch just as many fish off deep ledges or boulders." 877-782-9232; coeurdalene.org
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Texas
All lakes go through life cycles with good and poor fishing, and this southeast Texas reservoir north of Beaumont is at the top of its game right now, Hall says. After several years of drought, the lake is recovering nicely. "The water has risen recently, and usually when that happens, the bass fishing goes crazy." samrayburn.com
Thousand Islands
New York
This section of the St. Lawrence River Valley in Upstate New York and on the Canadian border is not only a long-recognized beauty spot, it's also renowned as a hatchery for smallmouth bass. "They're acrobatic and they fight hard, and they're typically willing to eat artificial bait if you get it in front of them," Hall says. 315-386-4000; fishcap.net
Smith Mountain Lake
Virginia
You don't usually find good smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing in the same area. But this Blue Ridge Mountains reservoir near Roanoke is blessed, Hall says, with plenty of 3- or 4-pound fish. "You can catch not only both species, but you have really good quality." 540-483-3040; visitfranklincountyva.org
Lake St. Clair
Michigan
Ranked this year as the top bass lake in the country by Bassmaster, the Detroit-area fishing hot spot sits on the border between Michigan and Canada and is part of the Great Lakes ecosystem. It's especially welcoming during the summer fishing season, Hall says. "The fish are everywhere, and typically, they are really big. A first-timer can go out there and catch bass." 586-463-4581; metroparks.com
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Florida
Not far from the wonders of Orlando's theme parks, anglers can find their own fantasyland of fishing — an ecosystem of more than two dozen lakes that's home to record bass-fishing tournament catches. Hall, who previously lived in the area, loves the Old Florida atmosphere. "You're surrounded by really cool swamp. There are alligators all over the place, there are water birds, and the bass there are enormous." 407-742-8200; experiencekissimmee.com
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees
Oklahoma
This impoundment of Grand River was the host of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, which is considered the Super Bowl of competitive bass fishing. "It's a lake that is very generous to newbie anglers. You don't have to know a great deal to be able to have the day of your life fishing," Hall says. "It's in a very healthy moment of its life cycle, so the bass fishing is really, really good right now." 918-786-2289; grandlakefun.com
Bull Shoals Lake
Arkansas and Missouri
Anglers find striking scenery and memorable fishing at this Ozarks-area lake, an impoundment of the White River held back by a huge concrete dam. Hall says it is popular with crank baiters, a simple cast-and-reel technique using an artificial minnow-shaped lure. "You can just throw it in and pull it out." 870-404-2741; ozarkmountainregion.com
Clear Lake
California
Anglers come to this natural freshwater lake in Northern California for stunning mountain scenery — and huge fish. The area is sometimes called the "Bass Capital of the West." Hall is a big fan. "You can float in one of the most beautiful places on Earth and maybe catch the biggest bass of your life." 800-525-3743; lakecounty.com
Lake Guntersville
Alabama
Located about 90 minutes from Birmingham, this state park, an impoundment of the Tennessee River, is a perennial bass-fishing powerhouse. "It's a giant nursery for bass. It's filled with grass, and it's a really big body of water," Hall says. "It's not hard to find fish." 855-934-7425; alabamabasstrail.org
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