National Top 10 Lakes from the Western Division
1. Clear Lake, California
2. Lake Berryessa, California [20,700 acres] Berryessa has historically been one of the West’s top waters, but it’s been six years since this gem made the top three. Dramatically fluctuating water levels, combined with below-average rainfall, were the likely culprits in the lake’s declining bass fishery. But thanks to improving conditions, Berryessa has reclaimed its reputation. The quality of this destination’s bass was demonstrated at an Angler’s Press Future Pro Tour event in February under tough conditions in which only 18 of 63 teams brought limits to the scales. The top team at that one weighed 30.73 pounds, including a 10.44-pound big bass.
3. Diamond Valley Lake, California [4,500 acres] At less than 100 miles from downtown Los Angeles, you may not expect Diamond Valley to be one of the preeminent Western bass fisheries. But thanks to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s management of the lake, that’s exactly what it has become. Although the average weight of limits here has declined over the years, it remains worthy of this top position at 21.72 pounds. One of the largest was five bass weighing 27.37 that netted the win at a National Bass West Team Trail contest in March. Big fish was 7.16 pounds.
[1,100 square miles] The California Delta’s network of winding rivers and sloughs took a small
