100 best bass lakes of 2013

Lists that rank the subjective can incite passionate response. Last year, I learned this the hard way when Bassmaster Magazine released its inaugural ranking of bass fisheries from across the nation.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Lake St. Clair

It’s no secret that this storied fishery is nothing short of a smallmouth factory.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Sam Rayburn

This perennial bass fishing powerhouse is on the uptick.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Clear Lake

As the largest freshwater lake entirely in California, Clear Lake also produces some of the largest bass the state has to offer with amazing consistency.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Lake Guntersville

The rank of many lakes on the Best Bass Lakes list has suffered due to intense angling pressure. Guntersville is the exception.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Lake Erie

There’s no telling how many record smallmouth have been caught on Lake Erie...

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Chickamauga Lake

Debatably the hottest lake on this list, Chickamauga vaults 55 places from its rank last year.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Falcon Lake

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Last year, most fishermen would have bet their favorite baitcasting reel that this lake would be No. 1 on this list for the next century.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: Lake Okeechobee

At times, the Big O can be the best lake on the planet.

Best Bass Lakes of 2013: San Joaquin Delta

If you want to get away from it all, the San Joaquin Delta’s 1,000 miles of shoreline certainly allow for that.