Species
Largemouth Bass
On record in 483 waters across 10 states
Largemouth bass are the most popular gamefish in the country, and the reason isn't complicated — they're aggressive, they're everywhere from farm ponds to giant reservoirs, and they hit a huge range of lures with authority. Structure is everything with largemouth; find the cover, and you find the fish.
Largemouth Bass are on record in 483 waters across 10 states, most heavily in Washington, Indiana, Illinois, Utah and Florida. FishableWaters tracks every largemouth bass stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.
By state
- Washington258 waters
- Indiana118 waters
- Illinois31 waters
- Utah30 waters
- Florida16 waters
- Wisconsin10 waters
- Oklahoma8 waters
- North Dakota6 waters
- Michigan4 waters
- Nebraska2 waters
Most-stocked waters
- Lake ApopkaFL60×
- Hennepin CanalIL14×
- Crab Orchard LakeIL10×
- Lake WavelandIN10×
- Lake PierceFL9×
- Defiance LakeIL8×
- Middle Fork ReservoirIN8×
- Lake OpekaIL8×
- Washington County LakeIL7×
- McCullom LakeIL7×
- Lake TalquinFL7×
- J T Budd PondFL7×
- Lake FreemanIN7×
- Governor Bond LakeIL6×
- Orange LakeFL6×
How to catch them
Fish cover — docks, weed edges, laydowns, rock piles — rather than open water. Early and late in the day, topwater lures draw explosive strikes; through the middle of the day, working baits slower and deeper near cover usually produces better.
Soft plastic worms and creature baits rigged Texas-style are the most versatile bass bait made. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jigs round out a solid all-around lineup, and live shiners or nightcrawlers work when artificial lures aren't getting bit.
Know your fish
Dark olive-green back fading to a lighter belly, with a distinct dark horizontal band running the length of the body. The upper jaw extends past the eye, the field mark that separates them from smallmouth bass.
Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is when largemouth are shallow, aggressive, and easiest to pattern. Summer pushes fish deeper and into low-light feeding windows, and fall brings another shallow feeding push before winter slows everything down.
Freshest largemouth bass stockings
| Jul 15, 2026 | Eureka LakeSD | 114 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Elwood ReservoirNE | 28,085 |
| Jun 4, 2026 | English CouleeND | 22 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | Salamonie LakeIN | 9,910 |
| May 6, 2026 | Lake MinatareNE | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Powderhorn LakeMN | 4 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Wirth LakeMN | 10 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Wolfe LakeMN | 10 |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Snelling LakeMN | 3 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Baldwin LakeIL | 28,302 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Mineral SpringsIL | 90 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Shabbona LakeIL | 17,757 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Milliken LakeIL | 3,715 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Hennepin CanalIL | 2,972 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Crab Orchard LakeIL | 82,047 |
Largemouth Bass — FAQ
Where can I catch largemouth bass?+
Largemouth Bass are stocked across 10 states, led by Washington, Indiana, Illinois, Utah and Florida. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with largemouth bass.
What's the best bait for largemouth bass?+
Soft plastic worms and creature baits rigged Texas-style are the most versatile bass bait made. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jigs round out a solid all-around lineup, and live shiners or nightcrawlers work when artificial lures aren't getting bit.
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass?+
Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is when largemouth are shallow, aggressive, and easiest to pattern. Summer pushes fish deeper and into low-light feeding windows, and fall brings another shallow feeding push before winter slows everything down.
How many waters are stocked with largemouth bass?+
483 waters across 10 states hold largemouth bass on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.