LARGEMOUTH BASS

LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

Largemouth bass, known for their explosive strikes and aggressive behavior, can be found in various bodies of water in the Northwest region of the United States. Anglers seeking the thrill of catching a trophy bass often target them in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Here are some popular locations for largemouth bass fishing in Oregon and Washington:
Oregon: The Columbia River, Willamette River, and Lake Billy Chinook are renowned for their largemouth bass fisheries. Other notable locations include Tenmile Lakes, Cottage Grove Reservoir, and Foster Reservoir.
Washington: The Columbia River, Snake River, and Potholes Reservoir offer excellent opportunities to catch largemouth bass. Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, and Moses Lake are also popular destinations for bass anglers.

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

Weedy Ponds: Largemouth bass can be found in the thick weeds, lily pads, and other vegetation that grows along the edges of ponds. They use these areas for cover and to ambush prey.
Shallow Flats: Largemouth bass can be found in shallow flats and other shallow areas of a lake or reservoir, where they can be caught using topwater lures or by sight-fishing.
Points and Drop-offs: Largemouth bass can be found near points and drop-offs, where they can be caught using deep-diving crankbaits or jigs.
Backwaters and Coves: Largemouth bass can be found in the backwaters and coves of a lake or reservoir, where they can be caught using finesse techniques such as a Texas rig, shaky head, or a drop-shot rig.
Submerged Timber: Largemouth bass can be found around submerged trees, stumps, and other types of wood cover. They use these structures as cover and to ambush prey.
Riprap, Concrete, Rocks: Largemouth bass can be found around riprap, rocks and concrete structures, such as bridges, retaining walls, and dams. They use these structures for cover and to ambush prey.

PATTERNS

SPRING

During spring, largemouth bass move into shallower waters for spawning. Look for them near shoreline vegetation, submerged structure, or areas with gravel or sandy bottoms. Fishing with a variety of lures, such as plastic worms, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits, can be effective during this season.

SUMMER

In the summer months, largemouth bass tend to seek out deeper and cooler areas. They may be found near submerged structure, drop-offs, or areas with abundant cover. Fishing during the early morning or evening hours, when the water temperature is lower, can be productive. Techniques such as topwater lures, Texas-rigged soft plastics, or jigs can entice largemouth bass to bite.

FALL

Fall is an excellent time to target largemouth bass as they actively feed in preparation for the upcoming winter. They may be found in areas with vegetation, near submerged timber, or in deeper holes. Fishing with a variety of lures and baits, including crankbaits, jerkbaits, or swimbaits, can yield good results during this season.

WINTER

In winter, largemouth bass become less active and tend to move to deeper sections of the water. They may seek out areas with structure, such as rock piles or submerged trees, where they can find warmer pockets of water. Fishing slowly with jigs, jigging spoons, or slow-moving soft plastics can be effective in enticing sluggish bass to bite.

Largemouth bass are opportunistic feeders and can be targeted using a variety of baits and lures. Popular bait options include plastic worms, creature baits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, and topwater lures. The choice of bait depends on the fishing conditions, the bass's feeding behavior, and angler preference.
When selecting lures, consider matching the color and size to the natural prey in the area. Experimenting with different retrieval speeds and presentations can also help trigger bass strikes. Additionally, live bait such as nightcrawlers, minnows, or crayfish can be effective in enticing largemouth bass to bite.