FOLSOM LAKE
Folsom, El Dorado, Placer And Sacramento Counties
You'll find plenty of largemouths, smallmouths and spotted bass swimming just a short drive from our state's capital. This relatively large lake has been known to produce good numbers of bass weighing in the high teens. Trophies are less common today. But for lots of average fish and a legitimate shot at a bass pushing 10 pounds, you can't go wrong with a trip to Folsom.

For largemouths, you'll want to head up the South Fork of the American River, where you may hook into a monster if you have the patience to cast trout-pattern swimbaits.

You'll catch lots of smallies in the North Fork of the American by dart-heading small grubs off steep rocky points. Spots take 4-inch soft-plastic worms all over the lake.

For information, call Fisherman's Warehouse at (916) 362-1200.

LAKE AMADOR
Amador County
Amador is about as close as you can get to a bass angler's paradise. This very small Gold Country lake pumps out incredible numbers of 2- to 3-pound largemouths. Although there seem to be fewer trophies taken here than in past years, Amador still provides its share of bass going greater than 10 pounds, too.

The best thing about this water is that it fishes equally well from a boat or float tube or from shore.

Location isn't a critical factor here, but if you don't know where to start, try the Jackson Creek and Mountain Spring areas. All of your typical bass lures take fish at Amador at one time or another. Small crankbaits, topwater poppers and 6-inch curly-tailed worms are some of the most popular.

When you're after big bass, however, make sure you have a handful of trout look-a-like swimbaits.

For more information, call the Lake Amador Resort and Marina at (209) 274-4739.

DON PEDRO RESERVOIR
Tuolumne County
Below-average precipitation seems to have a big effect on bass populations at this massive impoundment. But last year's extremely low waters shouldn't have had an impact yet.

Though the fishing at Pedro can be tough over most of the year, regulars agree that spring is the time to go.

Timing is especially important when you're after one of the huge Florida-strain largemouths that dominate here.