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Texas
2,099,153
California
1,757,685
Florida
1,743,139
Minnesota
1,525,029
North Carolina
1,487,575
Wisconsin
1,434,816
Michigan
1,190,933
Pennsylvania
1,146,972
Georgia
1,083,120
Colorado
1,048,260
Tennessee
923,447
New York
911,677
Ohio
909,854
Washington
789,966
Louisiana
775,308
Oklahoma
761,573
Illinois
701,088
Oregon
650,307
Alabama
623,287
Indiana
607,365
Utah
604,287
South Carolina
603,247
Virginia
595,755
Kentucky
593,612
Idaho
563,531
Arkansas
543,860
Arizona
515,539
Missouri
476,389
Montana
456,764
Iowa
401,686
Maine
328,989
Mississippi
325,350
Maryland
322,170
Kansas
318,632
West Virginia
290,967
Alaska
283,646
Massachusetts
281,707
Wyoming
268,606
Nebraska
266,741
New Mexico
250,954
South Dakota
247,186
North Dakota
226,654
New Jersey
193,618
New Hampshire
191,034
Nevada
183,839
Connecticut
169,484
Vermont
124,898
Delaware
92,120
Rhode Island
68,406
District of Columbia
7,814
Hawaii
4,386

Bass Fishing by State 2024

Bass Fishing by State 2024

What Is the Best State for Bass Fishing?

If you are looking for an enjoyable pastime, you have probably thought about fishing. There are different types of fish you can catch, and you might even be able to catch your dinner when you go out! There are a lot of people who enjoy bass fishing, and the best state for bass fishing is likely Michigan. Michigan is widely considered to be the best state for fishing in general, and bass fishing is no different. Michigan provides you with access to not only the Great Lakes but also a wide variety of lakes and rivers that are inland. Many of them are filled with bass, so you should not have a lot of trouble catching some when you go out.

What Is the Second-Best State for Bass Fishing?

Even though there is some debate regarding the second-best state for bass fishing, a lot of people enjoyed bass fishing in Alabama. In particular, Alabama is a great place to go bass fishing if you enjoy participating in tournaments. One of the best lakes to go bass fishing in Alabama is called Lake Guntersville. Because of the popularity of this lake, and the number of professional tournaments that take place on this lake every year, people flock to Alabama regularly to take advantage of the opportunities. Within just a few hours, you can catch large bass, smallmouth bass, and numerous other types of bass as well.

Is Texas Good for Bass Fishing?

Texas is one of the largest states in the country, so it should come as no surprise that there are great places to go bass fishing in Texas. There are lots of rivers, lakes, and streams in the state that are perfect for people who love to go bass fishing. If you are looking for a 10 lb bass, you may be able to find one in Texas. If you are looking for a great place to start, you may want to swing by Galveston Bay. This is the largest estuary in Texas, and one of the largest in the United States. Therefore, it could be a great place for you to catch a large bass. You may also want to consider checking out Lake Ray Hubbard and the Lake Fork Reservoir.

Can You Bass Fish in Florida?

Florida is another exceptional place to go bass fishing, and it hosts a wide variety of competitions throughout the year. The best place to go bass fishing in Florida is called Lake Okeechobee, and it is regularly listed as one of the best bass fishing locations by various magazines. There are plenty of other places where you may want to go bass fishing in Florida as well. For example, you may want to check out the Rodman Reservoir, which was developed by the US Army. You may also want to swing by Lake Kissimmee, which is approximately 40 miles south of Orlando. Consider going bass fishing in Florida if you are looking for something a bit different.

Bass Fishing by State 2024

  • Hawaii requires a fishing license for freshwater fishing, but not for marine fishing.

Download Table Data

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State
# of Paid Fishing License Holders
# of Pro Anglers
Best Lake
Lake Surface Area (acres)
Lake Surface Area (mi²)
Best Time to Fish
Texas2,099,15337Lake Fork Reservoir27,26442.60Spring and fall
California1,757,68513Clear Lake43,78568.40Year-round
Florida1,743,13925Lake Okeechobee467,200730.00Year-round
Minnesota1,525,0297Lake Mille Lacs132,516207.00Spring and fall
North Carolina1,487,57515Lake Norman32,51050.80Spring and fall
Wisconsin1,434,8165Lake Winnebago137,700215.20Spring and fall
Michigan1,190,93310Lake St. Clair275,200430.00Spring and fall
Pennsylvania1,146,9724Lake Erie (borders multiple states)6,342,4009910.00Spring and fall
Georgia1,083,12015Lake Lanier38,00059.40Spring and fall
Colorado1,048,2600Blue Mesa Reservoir9,18014.30Spring and fall
Tennessee923,44728Chickamauga Lake36,24056.60Spring and fall
New York911,6771Lake Erie (borders multiple states)6,342,4009910.00Spring
Ohio909,8544Lake Erie (borders multiple states)6,342,4009910.00Spring and fall
Washington789,9662Potholes Reservoir27,80043.40Spring and summer
Louisiana775,30824Toledo Bend Reservoir185,000289.00Year-round
Oklahoma761,57317Lake Texoma89,000139.00Spring and summer
Illinois701,0885Lake Shelbyville11,10017.30Spring and fall
Oregon650,3073Tenmile Lakes1,6262.50Spring and fall
Alabama623,28747Guntersville Lake69,000107.80Year-round
Indiana607,36528Lake Monroe10,75016.80Spring and fall
Utah604,2870Lake Powell161,930253.00Spring and fall
South Carolina603,24713Lake Murray50,00078.10Spring and summer
Virginia595,7558Smith Mountain Lake20,60032.20Spring and fall
Kentucky593,61210Kentucky Lake160,309250.00Spring and fall
Idaho563,5313Dworshak Reservoir20,00031.30Spring and fall
Arkansas543,86019Millwood Lake29,20045.60Year-round
Arizona515,5396Lake Havasu19,52030.50Spring and fall
Missouri476,3892Table Rock Lake43,10067.30Spring and fall
Montana456,7640Fort Peck Reservoir245,000382.80Spring and fall
Iowa401,6860Big Creek Lake8141.30Spring and fall
Maine328,9890Sebago Lake28,80045.00Spring and fall
Mississippi325,3507Pickwick Lake (borders AL and TN)43,10067.30Spring
Maryland322,1701Deep Creek Lake3,9006.10Spring and fall
Kansas318,6323La Cygne Reservoir2,6004.10Year-round
West Virginia290,9671Stonewall Jackson Lake2,6504.10Spring and fall
Alaska283,6460Kenai River1,286,4002010.00May-July
Massachusetts281,7070Quabbin Reservoir24,96039.00Spring and fall
Wyoming268,6060Flaming Gorge Reservoir42,02065.70Spring and summer
Nebraska266,7410Merritt Reservoir2,9004.50Spring and fall
New Mexico250,9540Elephant Butte Reservoir36,50057.00Spring and fall
South Dakota247,1860Lake Oahe370,000578.10Spring and summer
North Dakota226,6540Devils Lake160,000250.00Spring and summer
New Jersey193,6184Lake Hopatcong2,5604.00Spring and fall
New Hampshire191,0340Lake Winnipesaukee46,08072.00Spring and fall
Nevada183,8390Lake Mead158,080247.00Spring and fall
Connecticut169,4842Candlewood Lake5,3768.40Spring and fall
Vermont124,8980Lake Champlain278,400435.00Spring and fall
Delaware92,1201Lums Pond State Park2000.30Year-round
Rhode Island68,4060Worden Pond1,0431.60Spring and fall
District of Columbia7,814
Hawaii4,3860Wahiawa Reservoir (Lake Wilson)4000.60Year-round
showing: 51 rows

Which state does the most bass fishing?

The state with the most bass fishing license holders is Texas with 2,099,153 paid licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources