Bass pro Leroy Bertolero uses topwater lures to coax Clear Lake’s monster largemouths to bite. Photo by Brian Sak

Over the past several years, Mother Nature has been kind to North State bass anglers. She’s delivered ideal conditions for our favorite quarry.

Above-average precipitation has kept lakes and reservoirs at capacity well into spring, resulting in higher than normal spawning success for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Thanks to an abundance of flooded brush, growth and survival of juvenile fishes has soared, too.

But all the rain and snowpack presents a downside for some anglers, according to regional fishery biologists. “Bodies of water are only capable of supporting limited biomasses (pounds of fishes). With the increased survival and growth rates that we’ve been experiencing, something has to give,” says Bay Area biologist Peter Banash. “It’s usually a dip in the number of trophy fish available.”

Last year was exceptional for black bass anglers throughout Northern California, with outstanding reports of quantity and size. But with the potential for big-bass fisheries transitioning toward more of a numbers game, 2007 may be the year to try for that bass of a lifetime.

With Banash’s help, California Game & Fish has put together a list of diverse waters that offer opportunities for catching lots of fish, a shot at a trophy and even a little of the best of both worlds.

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THE NUMBERS GAME
It’s not uncommon to hear or read about 100-bass days. But the truth is, few of us have experienced that kind of fishing. Ten to 20 legal-size bass are more typical of a successful outing, with anything approaching the mid-century mark worth bragging about. Hit any of the waters listed below just right, and you’ll be boasting to all your fishing friends.

FEATHER RIVER
Butte and Sutter Counties

For starters, try something different by heading to the flowing waters of the Feather, between Gridley and Yuba City. Smallies are the quarry here, where a little current only adds to the strength of these worthy opponents. The bass average just over 2 pounds, but once the battle is on, you’ll think you’ve hooked a fish twice that size.