Largemouth Bass

If you're heading to Cooperstown, New York with largemouth bass on your mind, you're likely thinking of Otsego Lake. This deep, clear lake offers a unique challenge, as the bass tend to relate to deep structure and weed edges, especially during the warmer months. The bass fishing really picks up in late spring after the spawn and remains consistent through the summer, with topwater action being particularly exciting in the early morning and late evening. For consistent results, try fishing drop-shot rigs or Carolina-rigged plastics along submerged points and humps. A local tip: many anglers launch from the state boat launch on the north end of the lake, but be aware that it can get crowded on weekends. Also, be prepared for Zebra mussels; they can be tough on your line, so use fluorocarbon leaders. The largemouth here can be surprisingly hefty, with several fish over 5 pounds reported each year, but the average size is around 2-3 pounds.