Photo by Ron Sinfelt

There's a good chance that next world-record largemouth bass will be caught in one of the four top-producing lakes in Riverside County: Lake Perris, Lake Skinner, Lake Elsinore or Lake Hemet. Professional bass anglers know where the likely trophy spots are located. Now you, too, can learn what they already know and increase your odds in catching that once-in-a-lifetime trophy.

Since there are so many lakes and reservoirs to chose from, your decision on which one to fish often comes directly from what you read or hear. Sometimes that information isn't always accurate or even the complete truth. Listening to the real experts in the field is your best bet, and that is exactly what California Game & Fish has done. There are three very productive and well-known lakes in this area and one "sleeper lake." Read on and learn where the big bass are hiding.

LAKE PERRIS
With Lake Perris you really can't go wrong fishing this lake in the spring either from a boat or from the shore. Located in the city of Perris just off the Ramona Expressway, this is a state park and boat inspections are mandatory.

You can find current lake information by calling (951) 940-5600. Formally at 2,200 acres, this lake has been drastically reduced. That doesn't affect the outstanding fishing. At Perris, the shore-angler sometimes has the advantage over the boat or float tube angler if you are fishing in the marina area where no fishing from boats or float tubes is allowed. The amount of threadfin shad that will school up around the marina is sometimes overwhelming, that along with the stocked trout that are put into this lake give the bigger bass a lot of food to choose from.

This lake receives well over 25,000 pounds of trout every year starting in October and going to the end of May. That is why so many bass anglers use larger swimbaits that closely resemble swimming trout. The lake record for largemouth bass is currently at 17.5 pounds, and we all know that records are meant to be broken.

The marina area consistently produces larger bass than the rest of the lake. Walking the rocks along the dam will always produce fish. However, you're limited to the type of technique you can use and the depth that you want to fish because of all the rock structure. Drop-shot setups work well closer to shore and crankbaits work best farther out. A fishing pier extends out and over the lake about 50 yards. This can also be a good spot to try your drop-shot rig.

Some anglers use dip nets at the marina and boat launch areas to catch shad and use them for bait. You cannot use throw nets, only the long-handle style of dip nets.

The most productive and most widely used technique at Lake Perris is the plastic worm. With a wide array of manufacturers making plastic baits, it can be a challenge to find the right one that works for you. Local professional bass angler and guide Art Hill routinely fishes Perris and other surrounding lakes for trophy-sized bass. When fishing Perris in the spring, Hill prefers to use plastic worms for most of his time on the water. A favorite of his is made by AA Plastics. He uses the Brown and Blue Vein in 8-, 9- and 10-inch sizes with either a size 3 or 4 larger hook and having it set up Texas rig style with 10- or 12-pound fluorocarbon line. Just bounce this along the bottom and hang on. Art Hill can be reached at www.dvguideservice.com, or call (951) 265-9551.