Smallmouth Bass

Chasing smallmouth bass around Kelseyville, California, means focusing your efforts on Clear Lake. This lake's rocky structure and submerged weed beds provide excellent habitat for smallies. Spring and fall are prime times, as the fish move shallow to spawn and feed aggressively before winter. During the summer, target deeper structure with drop-shot rigs or crankbaits. A key to success here is understanding the seasonal forage – during the crawfish molt, for example, crawdad-imitating lures can be deadly. Access is readily available from several public boat ramps around the lake, including the one at Clear Lake State Park. Be mindful of the wind, as it can pick up quickly and make navigating the lake challenging.