You'll find bass all over Ruth, but more fish on the west side of the lake. As waters begin to warm during spring, cast ripbaits, small crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Once the dog days arrive, topwater offerings work well both early and late in the day, but you'll have to switch to soft-plastics when the sun is overhead.

Speed things up again in the fall when waters begin to cool.

For information, call the Ruth Lake Marina at (707) 574-6524.

LAKE DEL VALLE
Alameda County
First, the good news: You won't find personal watercraft or water-skiers here, thanks to a lakewide 10 mph speed limit.

The bad news is it'll take you a while to reach the best fishing spots. But the quality fishing at Del Valle makes that time well spent.

With miles of shoreline access, this is also a great destination for anyone with no way to get out on the water.

Largemouths and smallmouths are available at Del Valle, with April through June the most productive months. Boaters should target major points and steep rocky banks, from the narrows down to the dam.

Shore-bound anglers have the best luck casting to the backs of coves, from the ramp to Swallow Bay. Search for fish with spinnerbaits and crankbaits, then work small plastics in the areas where you hook up.

For information, call the Del Valle Regional Park Marina at (925) 449-5201.

LAKE MENDOCINO
Mendocino County
Thanks to its reputation for monster stripers and the prominence of nearby Clear Lake, Mendocino gets very little pressure. The lack of anglers may also be a function of an abundance of water-skiers. Get out early to find more plump largemouths and smallmouths to 5 pounds.

Mendocino is a great place to put seasonal patterns to the test. In the spring, look for active bass by covering lots of water with spinnerbaits. In the summer, slowing things down is a must. Try casting topwater poppers to any cover that you can find.

When autumn arrives, crankbaits work well, while crawling soft-plastics along steep rocky points pays off between winter storms.

For information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (707) 462-7581.

BASS LAKE
Madera County
Old-timers know this place as Crane Valley Reservoir, but its name was changed after a small lumber company accidentally killed all the fish here.

In hindsight, the mishap was a boon to bass anglers because when the offenders were ordered to restock the reservoir, they used (you guessed it!) black bass. Today's Bass Lake boasts healthy populations of largemouths, smallmouths and spots.

There is little shore access at this mountain getaway, where private property and resorts virtually surround the lake. But those with a way to get on the water will find the southeastern side a good place to start.

For largemouths, pitch bulky jigs and soft-plastics to docks or submerged willow trees. Try downsized versions of the same for smallies and spotted bass.

Call the Mariposa Ranger District at (559) 877-2218.