Largemouth Bass

Yakima offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing, especially considering its location in arid Eastern Washington. The key is focusing on the many irrigation-fed lakes and canals scattered throughout the valley. These waters, like Lake Aspen and the Potholes Reservoir (a bit further afield, but worth the drive), offer fertile habitat and plenty of forage for bass to thrive. Spring and early summer are prime times, as the bass are actively spawning and feeding aggressively in the warming waters. Look for weed lines, submerged structure, and points where canals enter the lakes. A local tip: pay attention to water levels, as irrigation demands can fluctuate and impact fish behavior. Also, many access points are on private land, so be sure to respect property lines and look for designated public access areas. The bass here tend to be chunky, with some real lunkers lurking in the deeper, less-pressured areas.