I’m taking a kayak trip through spring and summer, and you should too! Whether to get that cool breeze or to explore nature, perhaps to simply get a great workout? We are talking abs, legs and arms, with friends or perhaps by yourself. The best thing, though? Catching bass! It’s really a great adventure.
But I’m not just going to go kayaking anywhere, while it’s fun, I want to visit some great locations, but mostly, I also want to catch some good fish. Here’s a list of places in the US that you should visit if you are looking to catch some great fish.
Beaver Lake, Arkansas
31,700 acres. This isn’t the biggest lake on this list, but it’s great for people that want to go out and catch fish, not just practice casting. This lake was created due to the building of the Beaver dam back in the 1960’s. It’s great for largemouth, but you can also be sure to catch smallmouth there too. You probably won’t catch the biggest fish but are almost certain of a 4-6 pound fish. It’s a great place if you are looking for no struggles or are a beginner. March and April are the best times to catch fish on Beaver Lake. I will certainly be going there! It’s not too big which makes it an easy trip, and you are certain to catch something. #1 on our kayak trip list.
Lake Guntersville, Alabama
Once again, this is a man-made creation. It was created during construction of the Guntersville Dam. It covers 69,000 acres making it over twice as big as the Beaver Lake. I love being surrounded by water, and more water means that there is more space for exploring, something that I want to do while fishing. It isn’t just about fishing – it’s also about feeling the lake, feeling its life. This lake contains significantly larger fish than the first one. This is due to the fisheries management setting sound bag limits which allow the bigger fish to survive. This isn’t ideal for beginners, but for someone more serious like me, it means there is a higher possibility of catching big fish. The beginning of spring the best time to fish here. #2 on our kayak trip list.
Lake Fork Reservoir, Texas
Lake Fork Reservoir is known for Largemouth bass. It isn’t as big as the others with just 27,690 acres making it ideal for people that want to have fun but don’t want to go too far. It’s been open to the public since the 1980’s. It’s known for providing bass over 13 pounds. The best time to fish there is around the end of February and all the way to April. #3 on our kayak trip list.
Clear Lake, California
Not without reason, this lake is called the “Bass Capital of the West.” Compared to the others, this lake isn’t man made, scientists state that it is around 480,000 years old. It’s really a historic area with many since extinct volcanoes being present underneath. It was also home to Native Americans for at least 10,000 years, making this a great place to relive history, and certainly making me want to go kayaking there. Great fun. History. Fish. What else could you want? You can truly get a feel of what the natives enjoyed for centuries. The lake has an area of 43,520 acres. You can easily catch bass above 10 pounds. You will catch the biggest fish in the early days of spring. #4 on our kayak trip list.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
The biggest lake on this list – 185,000 acres. In here, I would leave from one location and probably return to a complete other location. It’s that vast. It’s super easy to get lost, and if you wander too far, you might find that you are too tired to return. This man-made lake project was completed in 1969. As for fish, 10-pound Largemouths are becoming a standard there. It’s a beautiful location for people that love kayaking for longer periods of time, and are looking for an adventure. It’s best to fish in this area during winter or in the fall. It’s truly massive. It might be better not to go alone, and if you do, It’s best to have good equipment, equipment that will make sure you will be safe during long periods of kayaking. #5 on our kayak trip list.
About the author: Dave Holden is a content editor on ProPaddling. Dave himself is an avid kayaker and fisherman who likes to spend his weekends and holidays exploring mountain lakes and streams. He also holds the office record for the largest trout caught!