Fall through spring is the best time to go, and if you fish during summer, avoid crowds by fishing early and late. Most of Folsom's largemouths are taken from the South Fork with spinnerbaits, jigs and soft-plastics. If you're willing to sacrifice bites for a shot at one big bass, try casting swimbaits.

Target rocky points and ledges in the North Fork with small crawdad-pattern crankbaits and grubs for smallies. You'll catch spotted bass all over the lake by drop-shotting 4-inch plastic worms.

For information, contact the Folsom State Recreation Area at 916-988-0205.

Lake Oroville (Butte County): Although there are few guarantees when fishing, catching spotted bass at Oroville is pretty close to a sure thing. And it doesn't matter when you go or what part of the lake you target.

The key to success here is finding a rockpile, ledge or point with deep-water access on at least one side, and trying different depths until you locate fish. Topwater plugs and ripbaits take spots throughout spring, while dart-heading and drop-shotting 4-inch worms are the methods of choice the rest of the year. Use light-color soft plastics when casting to waters shallower than 30 feet and dark colors when fishing deeper. Note that there is a 12- to 15-inch slot limit here.

For information, contact the Oroville State Recreation Area at 530-538-2200.

STRIPED BASS HOTSPOTS Although their present north state distribution remains small compared to largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, striped bass provide lots of awe-inspiring action for California fishermen. Check the fishing regulations closely and then visit these four top-notch destinations.   California Delta -- Although striped bass swim the Delta's maze of waterways throughout the year, you're better off trolling broken-back plugs from March through May and October through November. For information, call Hook, Line & Sinker at 925-625-2441.   Feather River -- Spring-run stripers show in the lower Feather in April, but you'll catch more fish in this river drifting live bait in May. For information, call Huntington's Sportsman's Store at 530-534-8000.   Lake San Antonio -- While trolling accounts for the bulk of the stripers caught during summer and fall, make sure you're ready to cast topwater plugs when baitfish boil at the surface. For information, call Monterey County Parks at 805-472-2311.   San Luis Reservoir & O'Neill Forebay -- These waters are known for producing trophy striped bass. Have a shot at your own wall-hanger by trolling shad imitations from March through July. For information, call the San Luis State Recreation Area at 209-826-1196. -- Brian Sak

The nice thing about Clear Lake is it gives up monster bass virtually anytime of the year. Simply find out whether the bite is at the north or south end, then head there and start fishing any of several classic baits. Try casting crankbaits, ripbaits and spinnerbaits around weed-filled flats and tule-lined points during spring and fall.

Get out early when summer arrives, fishing topwater lures and swimbaits parallel to the bank; pitch frogs to thick vegetation when the sun's high. Catching fish in winter takes a slow presentation to brush, docks and rockpiles.

For information, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at 800-525-3743.

Lake Mendocino (Mendocino County): Thanks to the reputation of nearby Clear Lake, Mendocino gets less pressure than it invites, considering the quality of the largemouths and smallmouths that come out of here.

The only negative aspect of this lake is the hammering it takes from water skiers. You'll solve the problem, however, by getting out early and late in the day. Fish spinnerbaits parallel to rock walls in the spring, covering lots of water. Slow things down in the summer, casting topwater plugs until the crowds hit the lake. Crankbaits work well in the fall, while dragging soft plastics down steep rocky points pays off between winter storms.

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

Spring Lake (Sonoma County): The number of huge largemouths that come out of this 75-acre lake is mind-boggling. Several bass pushing 10 pound are caught every year, and the 20-pound plus lake record, caught and released in 1997, may still be lurking in its depths. Spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps and a variety of soft plastics take bass here, with the best fishing along the tules that are inaccessible to shore anglers.

Target trophy largemouths near the fishing dock in winter, using big swimbaits that match the stocked rainbow trout. Note that gas-powered boats are not allowed on Spring Lake.

For information, contact the Spring Lake Regional Park at 707-539-8092.

Regardless of the time of year that you go, however, the fishing remains good thanks to the sheer size of this place. You'll always be able to find a quiet cove to wet a line at Shasta.

There is plenty of habitat throughout the lake for the largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass that live here, but you'll increase the odds of catching what you're after by targeting specific areas. Most consider the Pit River arm the best for largemouths, where reaction-type baits take fish from submerged willows and wood. You'll find spots all over Shasta as long as there's rock and deep water nearby. Smallies can be difficult to locate, but are sometimes taken off steep banks and breaks.

For information, contact the Shasta-Trinity National Forest district office at 530-275-1587.

Trinity Lake (Trinity County): California's smallmouth bass rarely get mentioned when the dock talk turns to big fish, but smallies should be the first things that come to mind at this designated trophy lake. Make this one of your first trips this year because the bite slows dramatically as lake waters warm.

Cast small reaction baits to stumps and ledges early in the day, switching to earth-toned, soft plastic grubs in deeper water when fish get inactive. Soak live crickets if the smallies develop a case of lockjaw. Keep in mind that special regulations at Trinity allow just two bass a day between March 31 and May 31.

For information, see Shasta Lake above.

For information, contact the Department of Fish and Game at 916-653-7664, or check online at www.dfg.ca.gov.