2026 rankings
Where the Best Bass Fishing Is in America
Each year Bassmaster Magazine ranks the 100 best bass lakes in the country, using tournament results, state fisheries data, biologists and local experts. Here are the top picks for 2026.
The top 10 bass lakes for 2026
| Rank | Lake | State | Region | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear Lake | California | West | A huge natural lake famous for trophy largemouth, ranked No. 1 in the West and overall. |
| 2 | Lake J.B. Thomas | Texas | Central | A West Texas reservoir that has climbed fast after rising water levels, ranked No. 1 in the Central region. |
| 3 | St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands) | New York | Northeast | World-class smallmouth water, ranked No. 1 in the Northeast. |
| 4 | Santee Cooper Lakes | South Carolina | Southeast | Lakes Marion and Moultrie, ranked No. 1 in the Southeast and a 2027 Elite Series stop. |
| 5 | Lake St. Clair | Michigan | Northeast | Known for big numbers of heavy smallmouth, and a 2027 Elite Series stop. |
| 6 | Lake Fork | Texas | Central | A legendary trophy-largemouth lake and a 2027 Elite Series stop. |
| 7 | Lake Tohopekaliga / Kissimmee Chain | Florida | Southeast | Florida-strain largemouth in grass and pads, and a 2027 Elite Series stop. |
| 8 | O.H. Ivie Lake | Texas | Central | A West Texas lake known for producing giant largemouth. |
| 9 | Withlacoochee River / Lake Rousseau | Florida | Southeast | A Florida river-and-lake system that made the 2026 top 10. |
| 10 | Caney Creek Reservoir | Louisiana | Central | A Louisiana reservoir that cracked the top 10 in 2026. |
Rankings: Bassmaster Magazine, 2026 100 Best Bass Lakes, released July 1, 2026. Read the announcement.
No. 1 lake in each region
West
Clear Lake, CA
Big natural lake, big largemouth. Spring is prime time for trophies.
Central
Lake J.B. Thomas, TX
The top lake in the middle of the country for 2026.
Northeast
St. Lawrence River, NY
The Thousand Islands. Bring smallmouth gear: tubes, drop shots and jerkbaits.
Southeast
Santee Cooper Lakes, SC
Cypress trees, shallow flats and heavy largemouth.
States with the most top-100 lakes
Texas leads with 10, followed by California (9), Florida (7), Michigan (7), Louisiana (6) and New York (6).
Top 25 lakes in the Central U.S.
If you live in the middle of the country, these were ranked the best in the Central region for 2026.
- Lake J.B. Thomas, TX
- Lake Fork, TX
- O.H. Ivie Lake, TX
- Caney Creek Reservoir, LA
- Bussey Brake Reservoir, LA
- Toledo Bend, LA/TX
- Mille Lacs, MN
- Upper Mississippi River, WI/MN
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir, TX
- Black Bayou Lake, LA
- Bois d'Arc Lake, TX
- Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, OK
- West Okoboji Lake, IA
- Lake Texoma, OK/TX
- Millwood Lake, AR
- Lake Ray Roberts, TX
- La Cygne Lake, KS
- Lake D'Arbonne, LA
- Lake of the Ozarks, MO
- Lake Eufaula, OK
- Lake Claiborne, LA
- Table Rock Lake, MO
- Bull Shoals Lake, AR
- Belton Lake, TX
- Lake Conroe, TX
Before you go: check the lake's state regulations for size and bag limits, look up boat ramp locations, and check water levels. Many top lakes also have local guides who can put you on fish your first day.