Fish ID
Largemouth Bass
California's most popular warm-water game fish. Florida-strain fish grow to trophy size in the Delta and Bay Area lakes.
Key ID marks
- Dark blotchy band down the side
- Jaw extends past the eye
- Deep notch between dorsal fins
Mouth ID
Huge mouth: the upper jaw reaches past the back of the eye.
Typical size
2–6 lb; trophies over 10 lb
Best season
Year-round; spawn March–May
Where
Delta, Clear Lake, foothill and Bay Area lakes
Look-alikes
Spotted bass (tongue patch), smallmouth (bars).
Fish & Game notes
Black bass limit is 5 combined; some lakes have size limits. Check CDFW.
Current CDFW regulations →Find it here
San Joaquin RiverClear LakeNew Melones LakeLake TullochDon Pedro ReservoirLake McClureLake McSwainModesto ReservoirWoodward ReservoirTurlock LakeCamanche ReservoirPardee ReservoirNew Hogan LakeLake AmadorFolsom LakeLake NatomaRollins LakeCollins LakeEnglebright LakeLake OrovilleLake BerryessaLake SolanoLos Vaqueros ReservoirLake Del ValleSan Pablo ReservoirLake ChabotAnderson LakeCoyote LakeSan Luis ReservoirO'Neill ForebayMillerton LakeBass Lake