In its latest annual rankings, Bassmaster Magazine has unveiled the 2024 list of the country's premier bass fisheries, offering anglers a definitive guide to the best spots for pursuing their sport. The Central Division emerged prominently, contributing 25 lakes to the esteemed Top 100 roster.
Leading the charge from the Central Division is O.H. Ivie Lake in Texas, securing an impressive second place overall in the nation. Joining it in the Top 10 are fellow Central Division waters: Lake Fork (Texas), Bussey Brake Reservoir (Louisiana), and Mille Lacs Lake (Minnesota).
B.A.S.S. Vice President of Content, James Hall, expressed the magazine's commitment to providing anglers, regardless of experience level, with up-to-date recommendations for successful fishing trips. Hall emphasized that Bassmaster's rankings serve as a valuable resource for planning memorable excursions to lakes and rivers currently flourishing with bass.
The St. Lawrence River, renowned for its unparalleled smallmouth bass fishery, regained the top spot after briefly slipping to second place last year. Its 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament showcased exceptional fishing conditions, with top competitors reeling in over 100 pounds of bass, highlighting the river's continuing allure and productivity.
O.H. Ivie Lake, which claimed the number one position in 2023, settled for second place this year. Despite the slight dip in ranking, the 20,000-acre Texas lake maintained its reputation with an impressive 35 Toyota ShareLunkers (bass weighing 8 pounds or more) caught in the early months of 2024, including twelve Legacy Class bass exceeding 13 pounds.
Florida's Orange Lake climbed to third place, up from eighth in the previous year's rankings. Spanning 12,550 acres, Orange Lake's rich aquatic vegetation provides ample habitat for bass to thrive, resulting in 33 catches over 8 pounds submitted to the TrophyCatch program since January, including 14 bass weighing over 10 pounds.
The Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes list evaluates lakes across the nation through rigorous comparisons, showcasing the top contenders across four geographic regions: Central, Western, Southeastern, and Northeastern.
Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2024
- St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), New York
- O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas
- Orange Lake, Florida
- Lake St. Clair, Michigan
- Lake Fork, Texas
- Lake Murray, South Carolina
- Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, New York
- Clear Lake, California
- Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana
- Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
