What is the best bass lake in the Midwest?

Lake Erie (western basin) in Ohio is our first pick; Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea are close behind.

When is the best time to fish for bass?

Warming up. They move toward shallow flats on sunny afternoons. Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

Best bass lakes in the Midwest: 12 lakes to fish

Bass are the most fished-for gamefish in the country, and the Midwest has no shortage of good water for them. Here are 12 lakes where bass are on record, with where to start on each.

The lakes

Lake	State	Also holds
Lake Erie (western basin)	Ohio	walleye, yellow perch, catfish
Lake Oahe	South Dakota	walleye, northern pike, catfish
Lake Sakakawea	North Dakota	walleye, northern pike, catfish
Truman Lake	Missouri	crappie, catfish, white bass
Lake of the Ozarks	Missouri	crappie, catfish, white bass
Lake St. Clair	Michigan	muskie, walleye, yellow perch
Table Rock Lake	Missouri	crappie, white bass, walleye
Lake Vermilion	Minnesota	walleye, muskie, northern pike
Lake Mille Lacs	Minnesota	walleye, muskie, yellow perch
Lake Minnetonka	Minnesota	muskie, northern pike, bluegill, walleye
Lake Shelbyville	Illinois	crappie, walleye, white bass
Lake Monroe	Indiana	crappie, white bass, catfish

1. Lake Erie (western basin), Ohio

Lake Erie (western basin) spreads over about 1,052,000 acres. The fish here are smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and catfish. It goes down to about 62 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Erie (western basin) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Oahe, South Dakota

At some 370,000 acres, Lake Oahe is a huge piece of water. Expect smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and catfish. It goes down to about 205 ft.

Lake Oahe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota

Lake Sakakawea spreads over 307,000 acres of water. Expect smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and catfish. At about 180 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has two sheltered coves and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Sakakawea today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Truman Lake, Missouri

Truman Lake covers some 55,600 acres. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass are the draw. It goes down to about 80 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Truman Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

At 54,000 acres, Lake of the Ozarks is a huge piece of water. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. The deepest water is around 130 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake of the Ozarks today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake St. Clair, Michigan

At some 275,000 acres, Lake St. Clair is a huge piece of water. It holds smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye and yellow perch. At about 27 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake St. Clair today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Table Rock Lake, Missouri

At 43,100 acres, Table Rock Lake is a big lake. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and walleye are the draw. At about 220 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Table Rock Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Vermilion, Minnesota

At 39,300 acres, Lake Vermilion is a big lake. It holds smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie and northern pike. The deepest water is around 76 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Vermilion today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota

Lake Mille Lacs spreads over 132,000 acres. Smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie and yellow perch are the draw. The deepest water is around 42 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Mille Lacs today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota

At 14,500 acres of water, Lake Minnetonka is a big lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike and bluegill. The deepest water is around 113 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Minnetonka today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Lake Shelbyville, Illinois

At some 11,100 acres, Lake Shelbyville is a big lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and white bass. It goes down to about 67 ft.

Lake Shelbyville today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Lake Monroe, Indiana

Lake Monroe covers 10,800 acres of water. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. At about 59 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Lake Monroe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Bass through the year in the Midwest

Use these as a starting point and let the water temperature decide: the lake pages show it every morning.

Spring: Warming up. They move toward shallow flats on sunny afternoons.
Summer: Active early and late. Head to shade, docks and grass in midday.
Fall: Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
Winter: Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.