Best bass lakes in the Northeast: 12 lakes to fish
The best bass lakes in the Northeast: Lake Champlain, Lake Winnipesaukee and Seneca Lake and more, with where to start and how the fish move through the year.
Largemouth on the grassy flats, smallmouth on the rock: the Northeast has lakes for both. Here are 12 lakes where bass are on record, with where to start on each.
The lakes
| Lake | State | Also holds |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Champlain | Vermont | northern pike, yellow perch |
| Lake Winnipesaukee | New Hampshire | lake trout, yellow perch |
| Seneca Lake | New York | lake trout, trout, yellow perch |
| Moosehead Lake | Maine | lake trout, trout |
| Lake George | New York | lake trout, yellow perch |
| Quabbin Reservoir | Massachusetts | lake trout, trout, yellow perch |
| Oneida Lake | New York | walleye, yellow perch |
| Sebago Lake | Maine | lake trout, trout, northern pike |
| Raystown Lake | Pennsylvania | striped bass, walleye |
| Lake Wallenpaupack | Pennsylvania | walleye, yellow perch |
| Candlewood Lake | Connecticut | yellow perch, trout |
| Deep Creek Lake | Maryland | walleye, yellow perch |
1. Lake Champlain, Vermont
At 278,000 acres, Lake Champlain is a huge piece of water. The fish here are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 400 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.
Lake Champlain today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
2. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Lake Winnipesaukee spreads over 44,600 acres of water. The fish here are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout and yellow perch.
Lake Winnipesaukee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
3. Seneca Lake, New York
Seneca Lake spreads over 42,800 acres of water. Smallmouth bass, lake trout, trout and yellow perch are the draw. The deepest water is around 618 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work.
Seneca Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
4. Moosehead Lake, Maine
At some 75,500 acres, Moosehead Lake is a huge piece of water. It holds smallmouth bass, lake trout and trout. At about 246 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work.
Moosehead Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
5. Lake George, New York
Lake George spreads over 28,800 acres. It holds smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 196 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.
Lake George today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
6. Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts
Quabbin Reservoir covers some 24,700 acres. The fish here are smallmouth bass, lake trout, trout and yellow perch. It goes down to about 151 ft.
Quabbin Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
7. Oneida Lake, New York
Oneida Lake covers some 50,900 acres. It holds smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. It goes down to about 55 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.
Oneida Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
8. Sebago Lake, Maine
Sebago Lake spreads over 30,500 acres of water. Smallmouth bass, lake trout, trout and northern pike are the draw. The deepest water is around 316 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.
Sebago Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
9. Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania
Raystown Lake spreads over 8,300 acres. Expect smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass and walleye. The deepest water is around 200 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank to work.
Raystown Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
10. Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania
Lake Wallenpaupack spreads over 5,760 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 60 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.
Lake Wallenpaupack today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
11. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
Candlewood Lake spreads over 5,420 acres. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout are the draw. The deepest water is around 90 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.
Candlewood Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
12. Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
At 3,630 acres of water, Deep Creek Lake is a good-sized lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. It goes down to about 75 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.
Deep Creek Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
Bass through the year in the Northeast
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.
Questions
What is the best bass lake in the Northeast?
Lake Champlain in Vermont is our first pick; Lake Winnipesaukee and Seneca Lake 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.
Your lake every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
