Largemouth Bass fishing
Micropterus salmoides. Greenish-black body with a bold dark horizontal band along the midline, fading toward a lighter belly.
Largemouth Bass fishing uses a Texas-rigged plastic worm or a nightcrawler on 8 to 17 lb line, at dawn and at dusk. Largemouth bass are less commonly restocked than trout because populations reproduce naturally once established; agencies mainly stock fingerlings to start a new fishery rather than replenish an existing one.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dawn and Dusk
- Line
- 8–17 lb
- Hook sizes
- Size 3/0 to 4 hooks
- Stocked in
- 13 states
- Peak in ID
- July
Identification
- Greenish-black body with a bold dark horizontal band along the midline, fading toward a lighter belly.
- Upper jaw (maxillary) extends past the back of the eye, the key trait separating it from smallmouth bass.
- Typically 12 to 15 inches in most lakes, with quality waters producing fish 17 to 20+ inches.
Top lures
Slow presentation in cold water or worked through dense cover year-round.
Cold or stained water around cover.
Cold water around brush piles and fallen trees, fished slowly on bottom.
Top baits
Line & tackle
- Line
- 8–17 lb
- Rod power
- Medium-heavy 7'6" spinning or baitcasting rod for plastics and jigs; 5-6 weight, 8 ft fly rod for topwater
- Hook sizes
- Size 3/0 to 4 hooks
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , pa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Depth by season
Spring
Fishing improves as water warms and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn.
Summer
Bite slows during the heat of the day; dawn and dusk are the most productive windows.
Fall
Catch rates improve again as water cools, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Stocked behavior
Largemouth bass are less commonly restocked than trout because populations reproduce naturally once established; agencies mainly stock fingerlings to start a new fishery rather than replenish an existing one. From the start, young bass seek dense cover such as fallen trees, brush piles, and vegetation rather than open water, mirroring adult habitat preferences almost immediately after release.
Common mistakes
- Fishing fast in cold water; in cold water a slow presentation works best.
- Pulling away from cover after a cold front; largemouth bass are often located close to or immediately next to cover after a strong cold front.
Best time to fish Largemouth Bass
Most commonly stocked in July in Idaho, based on 23 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in October in Michigan, based on 32 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in Montana, based on 289 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in Nevada, based on 16 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in New Mexico, based on 101 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in September in South Dakota, based on 15 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in September in Utah, based on 20 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in Wyoming, based on 41 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
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Florida
Idaho
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Ohio
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 11.38 lbs | Jarrett Edwards | Echo Canyon Reservoir (Archuleta County) | 1997 |
| Idaho | 10.94 lbs | Mary Alice Hurt Taylor | Anderson Lake | 1948 |
| Kentucky | 14.59 lbs | Mark Ward Evarts, KY | Highsplint Lake | 2019 |
| Montana | 9.58 lbs. | Brandon Wright | Lake Elmo | 2021 |
| New York | 12 lb. 6 oz. | James Britenbaugh | Cayuga Lake, Cayuga Co. | 2024 |
| Utah | 10 lbs. 2 oz. | Sam LaManna | Lake Powell | 1974 |
| Virginia | 16 lbs. 4 oz. | Richard Tate | Connor Lake | 1985 |
| Washington | 12.53 lbs | Bill Evans | Lake Bosworth, Snohomish County | 2016 |
| Wisconsin | 11 lbs. 3 oz. | – | Lake Ripley, Jefferson County | 1940 |
| Wyoming | 11.51 lbs. | Caleb Salzman - Meeteetse, WY | Kleenburn Ponds, Sheridan County | 2018 |
Common questions
What lures work for Largemouth Bass?
Texas-rigged plastic worm, a soft plastic in black/blue, green pumpkin, and junebug: Slow presentation in cold water or worked through dense cover year-round. Spinnerbait, a spinner in chartreuse/white and black: Cold or stained water around cover. Jig-and-pig, a jig in black/blue and brown: Cold water around brush piles and fallen trees, fished slowly on bottom. Deer hair popper, a fly in white, yellow, and frog pattern.
What bait works for Largemouth Bass?
Nightcrawler. Live minnow.
Where do Largemouth Bass hold?
Spring: Fishing improves as water warms and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer: Bite slows during the heat of the day; dawn and dusk are the most productive windows. Fall: Catch rates improve again as water cools, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. Winter: The toughest season; fish move offshore into deeper water and feed slowly.
How big do Largemouth Bass get?
The Colorado record is 11.38 lbs from Echo Canyon Reservoir (Archuleta County) in 1997. The Utah record is 10 lbs. 2 oz. from Lake Powell in 1974. The Washington record is 12.53 lbs from Lake Bosworth, Snohomish County in 2016. 7 more state records are on this page.