Ron Colby made the trip from Arizona to ply the Delta's waters for big largemouths, and he wasn't disappointed. The bass hit a Yamamoto Kreature. Photo by Brian Sak.

Will 2006 see a string of 10 years of outstanding Golden State bass fishing come to an end? Warmwater fishery biologists who have been monitoring the region's conditions for almost 20 years don't think so. We've had too many consecutive years of normal to above-average precipitation for things to head south anytime soon.

"When we look at it from a statewide perspective, the bass fishing is much better than it was 15 to 20 years ago," claims Dennis Lee, senior biologist with the Department of Fish and Game, "and it's just beginning to show the positive effects of the good rain we've been having since 2000."

Northern California's bass fisheries can be divided into three general categories, each providing its own opportunities. Regardless of whether you're looking for someplace to catch lots of bass, quality fish or have a legitimate shot at that trophy you've been dreaming of, the North State has what you want.

"The average fish size drops off in our spotted-bass lakes," adds Lee, "but places like Oroville and McClure, conversely, have high catch rates. We also have waters like New Melones and Almanor where anglers catch fewer but bigger fish. And of course, there are the trophy producers like the Delta and Clear Lake."

With the help of Lee and a review of 2005 fishing reports, California Game & Fish has compiled a list of diverse waters that offer everything from numbers to trophies -- and in some cases, a little of both.

BAY/DELTA
It's difficult to believe that you can find quality bass fishing within minutes of massive metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, let alone a world-class fishery. That, however, is exactly what you get here in a number of places.

Anderson Lake (Santa Clara County) -- This South Bay reservoir is the largest in a series of county-operated waters, but still relatively small in comparison to other well-known Northern California bass lakes. The quality of the fishing here, however, is far from proportional to its size. Limits of healthy largemouths are common, with fish often averaging 2 to 3 pounds. The key is having enough rain in the spring to keep Anderson full.

Start your search for bass around the rocky points near the dam, casting ripbaits, crankbaits and poppers. When those fish are uncooperative, move to the narrows at the south end of the lake. Try targeting shallower waters with reaction baits first. If that doesn't work, slow down with soft plastics. Casting parallel to wind-formed mud lines is often productive in spring.

For information, call Coyote Bait and Tackle at (408) 463-0711.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Contra Costa, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties) -- Many of us have read the reports describing dramatic declines of pelagic fish populations in the Delta. Although there is cause for concern long-term, bass anglers have nothing to worry about this year. The tidally influenced rivers, channels, sloughs and lakes that make up this complex system will remain the premier largemouth fishery of the entire West Coast.

Leave your finesse equipment at home. The Delta takes beefy rods and tough reels spooled with heavy line to land fish here. Popular methods include weaving chartreuse spinnerbaits through sparse tules, bouncing red crankbaits along rock levees, slowly working white frogs over weed mats and pitching blue-on-black jigs to submerged vegetation.

For information, call Hook, Line & Sinker at (925) 625-2441.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Fluctuating water levels are a way of life in this arid region. You can expect dropping reservoir levels (watch out for obstructions!) during summer, no matter how much precipitation Mother Nature provides.

Black Butte Lake (Tehama County) -- With healthy populations of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, and the lake's proximity to Highway 5, Black Butte receives fair pressure for such a small lake. But even with occasional poundings, it remains one of the region's top destinations. You can expect most fish to average 1 to 1.5 pounds, with the occasional 5- to 6-pound kicker.