Species spotlight: white bass on 7 lakes

White bass are easier to find than usual on a handful of lakes this week. This is a comfortable range for stripers and white bass; watch for birds diving on bait. Schools chasing bait on points. Watch for splashes.

1. 1
   

   Lake Travis, TX

   210 ft of water to work with 68°F water

   68°F at the surface puts white bass first in line. Start at a point drop-off in 10 to 20 ft; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 18,900 acres at full pool. Go Friday (good bite).

   Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0

2. 2
   

   Lake of the Ozarks, MO

   White bass in 64°F water 64°F water

   At 64°F, white bass are the bet here. A wind-blown bank is the place to begin. It is a big piece of water: about 54,000 acres at full pool. Go Friday (good bite).

   Photo: Ben Jacobson ( Kranar Drogin ), CC BY 2.5

3. 3
   

   Table Rock Lake, MO

   Best on Friday 64°F water

   64°F at the surface puts white bass first in line. A wind-blown bank in 8 to 20 ft is the place to begin; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. The lake sits 6 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Friday rates good for the bite.

   Photo: Drew de F Fawkes from Guildford, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 4.0

4. 4
   

   Sam Rayburn Reservoir, TX

   80 ft of water to work with 66°F water

   66°F at the surface puts white bass first in line. An upper arm in 28 to 32 ft is the place to begin; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. The lake sits 8.7 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Go Friday (good bite).

   Photo: Ricraider, CC BY-SA 3.0

5. 5
   

   Lake Conroe, TX

   White bass in 65°F water 65°F water

   The water is 65°F and white bass are feeding. Start at a point drop-off. It is a big piece of water: about 21,000 acres at full pool. Go Friday (good bite).

   Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY 2.0

6. 6
   

   Lewisville Lake, TX

   65 ft of water to work with 65°F water

   The water is 65°F and white bass are in range. An upper arm in 8 to 12 ft is the place to begin; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. The lake sits 3 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Friday rates good for the bite.

   Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

7. 7
   

   Lake Livingston, TX

   2.1 ft low, fish stacked 68°F water

   The water is 68°F and white bass are active. Start at an upper arm. The lake sits 2.1 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Friday rates good for the bite.

   Photo: i_am_jim, CC BY-SA 3.0