10 Top Cities for Bass Fishing: Your Next Trophy Destination
Compiled below is a list of the ten most searched cities in the United States for bass fishing. We’ve added the top-producing lakes or rivers in each region known for monster bass, giving you a definitive guide for your next angling adventure.
The #1 city on this list, Chapmansboro, TN, leads the pack, largely due to the gigantic spotted bass that the Cumberland River has become world-renowned for.
🎣 The Hottest Bass Fishing Destinations
1. Chapmansboro, Tennessee
Known for: Giant Spotted Bass
The Cumberland River has earned legendary status among competitive anglers for consistently kicking out record-breaking spotted bass. This river system offers diverse habitat and massive fish populations, making it a must-visit for any serious bass angler.
2. Birmingham, Alabama
Known for: Coosa River Spotted Bass
The Coosa River system is steeped in bass fishing history, with its spotted bass population achieving a truly legendary status. The numerous lakes along the river—including Lake Logan Martin and Lay Lake—are known for producing large numbers of aggressive fish.
3. Plano, Texas
Known for: Texas Giants
Plano serves as an excellent launchpad to some of North Texas’s best trophy lakes. Your three biggest targets here are:
- Lake Fork: The undisputed king of Texas big bass.
- Lake Ray Roberts: Known for its structure and deep-water fishing.
- Lewisville Lake: A massive reservoir offering diverse fishing opportunities.
4. Raleigh, North Carolina
Known for: Jordan Lake & Lake Falls
The Raleigh area is home to Jordan Lake, which was recently profiled by Major League Fishing (MLF) for its quality large and smallmouth bass fisheries. The nearby Falls Lake also provides excellent angling pressure and diverse shoreline structure.
5. Altamonte Springs, Florida
Known for: Massive Florida-Strain Largemouth
This location puts you in prime position to tackle the renowned Central Florida bass fishing. The clear favorite here is Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho), a massive, shallow lake that consistently produces trophy-sized Florida-strain largemouth bass.
6. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Known for: Lake Chesdin
Virginia Beach is a great gateway to coastal fishing, but a short drive inland brings you to Lake Chesdin. This reservoir is highly regarded for its robust largemouth bass population and serves as a popular regional tournament spot.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana
Known for: Marsh & Tidal Fishing
The New Orleans area offers a unique flavor of bass fishing—the tidal waters and brackish marshes. Lake Pontchartrain and its surrounding bayous are the primary target, where anglers battle bass that thrive in a unique, nutrient-rich environment.
8. Fort Worth, Texas
Known for: Lake Granbury
While Texas has many excellent bass lakes, Fort Worth anglers often target Lake Granbury. Known for its deep water and submerged timber, it offers a challenging but rewarding experience for large and smallmouth bass.
9. Louisville, Kentucky
Known for: Ohio River
Fishing near Louisville centers on the mighty Ohio River. While the river requires specific strategies due to current and barge traffic, it holds a substantial population of smallmouth, spotted, and largemouth bass, especially near its many feeder creeks and dams.
10. Sacramento, California
Known for: Folsom Lake
The Sacramento region provides access to some beautiful fishing spots, with Folsom Lake State Recreation Area being a key draw. The lake is known for its clear water and strong populations of spotted and smallmouth bass, particularly during the pre-spawn and summer months.