Bassmaster Magazine's Top 100 Bass Lakes

[Bill B.]

Missouri has all or part of only three of them. I thought TR would rate higher than it did:

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/100-best-bass-lakes

[Jerry Rapp]

some of the "choices" sure were interesting. The mud hole known as Rend Lake in Illinois made the top 100. Huh? I have fished it several times, but 15lbs is good, and if you catch 10 keepers it is a good day. Coure de Lane in Idaho? A top 10? Maybe it is a hidden gem?

[Stoneroller]

you have to read the editorial comment at the start of the magazine where they explain how the lakes made the cut. Once they lay out the parameters for why lakes were picked, it makes much more sense. A list like this, especially one as ambitious as this list is, will surely stir debate, as it should. but it's a decent barometer for out of staters looking for new water to explore.

Also keep in mind these are supposed to be top lakes where a person can catch a trophy bass, or something along that lines. They say something about it in the article.

[Jerry Rapp]

trophy bass? If that is the criteria then how would an Idaho lake make the top ten? Much less Rend Lake. I would guess it was sort of money driven. I would bet there might be an Elite Series event in Idaho in the next couple of years.

[Stoneroller]

I found the quote, "which (lakes) offer bass anglers the best opportunity for both quantity and quality of fish."

They tried to include the 'best bass lake' from each state and they completely failed for Illinois with Rend. But they first asked DNR for top lakes based on electroshock and angler surveys (still not sure why rend is in there), then asked bass federation national state presidents, then bass fed nation conservation directors. and after all that I'm still not following how Rend made the list. It's a crappie/catfish lake, everyone knows that except BASS.

Not to mention Rend placed above lakes such as: Harris Chain of Lakes, FL; Dale Hollow Lake, TN/KY (state record lake); O.H. Ivie, TX; Lake Eufaula, AL/GA; and Lake Lanier, GA.

[bsteele02]

Yeah I never think of Bass fishing when I think Rend Lake. I think about some nice crappie fishing though,

[kirbydog]

I live in CO. Fish Pueblo Res quite a bit but to rate Pueblo higher than Bull Shoals (which I have fished) or Powell is a joke.

I do agree right now Falcon is probably the best bass lake anywhere in the US.

Lists like this always seem to have lakes where you go "huh?".

[Feathers and Fins]

Ok now lets have a FLW Top 100 and compare the list lol.