Smallmouth Bass Fishing in California
Top 6 lakes ranked by stocking volume
California stocks smallmouth bass in 6 known waters, ranging from small impoundments to multi-thousand-acre reservoirs. The lakes below are sorted by recent stocking volume — quantity isn't everything, but it's a strong proxy for how much effort the state agency is putting into a given fishery.
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About Smallmouth Bass
Smallies hit harder per pound than any freshwater fish. They prefer cooler, clearer water than largemouth — northern lakes and reservoirs are prime. Look for them on rocky points and humps.
Best seasons: late spring, summer, fall. Active water-temp range: 60–75°F.
Productive techniques
- tubes on rocky bottoms
- drop-shot rigs
- crankbaits over points
- swimbaits
Top Smallmouth Bass lakes in California
| Rank | Lake | County | Acres | Total stocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don Pedro Reservoir | Tuolumne | 12,960 | 5,531 |
| 2 | Folsom Lake | Sacramento | 11,450 | 4,815 |
| 3 | Lake Almanor | Plumas | 28,000 | 3,870 |
| 4 | Bullards Bar Reservoir | Yuba | 4,810 | 3,607 |
| 5 | Lake Shasta | Shasta | 30,000 | 755 |
| 6 | Lake Oroville | Butte | 15,805 | 405 |
Gear for Smallmouth Bass
Tackle that consistently produces. Amazon Associate links — we earn from qualifying purchases.
- rod: Medium 7' spinning rod
- lure: Tube baits
- lure: Drop shot worms
- lure: Small swimbaits
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