NW Hook and Bullet: Bass Info

Largemouth Bass

Sometimes growing to 8 pounds or more, the largemouth is prized by thousands of Washington anglers and millions throughout the country. Although not native to this part of the country, they are found in many lakes and reservoirs throughout the state. Like perch, crappies, sunfish and other "warmwater" species, largemouths bite best from spring to fall, when water temperatures are higher.

Soft-plastic lures, such as imitation worms, lizards and curly-tail grubs, work well for largemouths, as do baitfish-imitating "plugs" and bladed wire lures known as spinnerbaits. Washington has special fishing rules that require anglers to release all bass between 12 and 17 inches long.

Smallmouth Bass

Although somewhat smaller and less abundant than the largemouth, the smallmouth bass is very popular with Washington's serious freshwater anglers. This hard-fighting fish sometimes grows to 6 pounds, but half-pounders are much more common. The Columbia-Snake River system contains our largest smallmouth bass population, but several lakes and reservoirs on both sides of the Cascades offer good smallmouth fishing.

Leadhead jigs rigged with three- or four-inch plastic grub or worm bodies work well for these aggressive fish, but they'll also take spinners, small wobbling plugs and other lures. Check the regulations pamphlet for size restrictions.