A Pro’s Take on the Best Fishing Spots in the U.S.

Bassmaster pro Justin Lucas has traveled all over North America, but according to the native Californian, who now lives in Alabama, there’s no better fishing than right here in the U.S. We spoke with the busy angler—who’s embracing the new role of “dad”—to get the scoop on his favorite and best fishing spots across the country.

Take it easy on Alabama’s largest lake

Lucas’ number one location is in his own backyard. Lake Guntersville is located about 30 miles north of Boaz, Alabama, and is the state’s largest lake at nearly 70,000 acres. Part of the Tennessee River system, it is internationally known as one of the best fishing spots for largemouth bass (they can grow up to nine pounds in size!). Anglers can also fish for bream, bluegill, longear and redear sunfish, crappie, catfish and sauger in these waters. Pro tip: This is a great spot to look for bald eagles throughout the year.

Discover peaceful waters at Michigan’s Lake St. Clair

Find this serene view, and plenty of fish, just a few miles from downtown Detroit.

Between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair sits six miles northeast of Detroit, Michigan. Fed by the St. Clair River to the north, the lake contains the largest delta in the Great Lakes system. Several other rivers—Thames, Sydenham and Clinton—also feed into Lake St. Clair, which empties into the Detroit River to the south. Lucas recommends this as one of the best fishing spots for smallmouth bass: “The water is crystal-clear,” he says. “I’ve caught 50-60 five to six pounders a day here.” When you’re done fishing for the day, be sure to check out Detroit’s downtown—its food and arts scenes are thriving.

See a mix of waters at the California Delta

Another outstanding delta system makes Lucas’ list as one of the best fishing spots. The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (also known as the California Delta) is where the rivers of California’s Central Valley dump into the San Francisco Bay. The vast area—more than 2,000 miles of fishable shoreline—features tributaries, sloughs and canals galore. “I caught my biggest bass here: 13 pounds, 9 ounces,” says Lucas.

Go for the numbers at Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake

Good fishing is a mix of quality and quantity. On the days where you’re going for the latter, Smith Lake near Cullman, Alabama, doesn’t disappoint. This is one of the best fishing spots for spotted bass, one of the three main species pro anglers are after. Although most are on the smaller side—two and three pounders—Lucas says he’s caught as many as 90 fish in a day in this massive, man-made reservoir.

Find the best fishing spots for beginners at Lake Sam Rayburn

Hundreds of miles of shoreline and multiple varieties of fish make Lake Sam Rayburn a great spot for inexperienced anglers.

Located north of Jasper in east Texas, this is the largest man-made lake in the state at 114,400 acres. Largemouth bass are the stars, but you’ll also find crappie, catfish, hybrid striped bass and, in the spring, white bass in limited numbers. It’s also a great place for young or inexperienced anglers, with redear sunfish and bluegill present in large supply. Surrounded by the scenic Angelina National Forest, the lake has nearly 750 miles of shoreline. “This is my go-to fishing spot when I want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life on tour,” says Lucas.

Increase your chances for a big catch at St. Johns River

Flowing south to north, with its mouth in Jacksonville, Florida, the St. Johns River is the longest in the state at 310 miles. Winding through 12 counties, the river’s narrow headwaters are a network of unnavigable marshes; at its widest point, it stretches three miles across. “Spring is the best time to fish for largemouth bass on the St. Johns,” says Lucas. “I’ve caught two 10-pounders here and only fished the river twice.”

Catch a wide variety at Lake Champlain

Whether you come from the New York Side or the Vermont side, you’ll find great bass fishing in Lake Champlain.

Bassmaster consistently ranks Lake Champlain as one of the best fishing spots in the U.S. It sits on the border of New York and Vermont, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Albany, New York, with the northern tip jutting into Quebec. You’ll find more than 75 kinds of fish—and thanks to an agreement between the states, anglers don’t need multiple licenses. With over 400 square miles of surface area, 120 miles of trolling possibilities and scores of islands, the difficult part is deciding where to begin. “For amount and average size,” says Lucas, “this is the best largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing in the country.”

Get a taste of California in the South at Lake Hartwell

Despite Lake Hartwell’s location on the opposite coast, Lucas says it reminds him of the lakes he grew up fishing in California. Straddling the South Carolina and Georgia border, the 56,000-acre lake is one of the best fishing spots because it’s popular with anglers across the South. Deep, clear water and rocky terrain make this a prime spot for largemouth and striped bass fishing, in addition to bream, crappie and catfish.

Pick the perfect spot for a winter visit at Lake Okeechobee

Head south for warm weather and, of course, bass at Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

Named for the Hitchiti term for “big water,” Lake Okeechobee is a first-rate spot to warm up and catch bass in the winter. Just two hours from Miami, it’s not only one of the best fishing spots in the country, but it’s affectionately known to maritime enthusiasts as The Big O. At 730 square miles, the lake is actually very shallow, with an average depth of less than 12 feet. “It’s possible to catch 50 fish a day here during stretches of nice weather,” says Lucas.

Fish among all types of wildlife at Clear Lake

Two-and-a-half hours north of San Francisco is Clear Lake, which is one of the best fishing spots and is also thought to be one of the oldest lakes in the country. Two-thirds of the fishing here is for largemouth bass. (Locals call them “big boys.”) Wildlife lovers, this is your nirvana: You’ll see year-round populations of pelicans, blue herons, egrets, grebes and osprey. Plus, bald eagles, deer, mountain lions and bears all call the shoreline home. When the fishing day is through, explore the surrounding area, which is home to several wineries due to its many microclimates and volcanic ash-rich soil.