bass fishing

When it comes to open water success for largemouth bass, I have one simple philosophy. I stick to targeting some type of weed growth for locating fish.

Although there are bass that stay shallow for much of the open water period, I often find that if I am playing the numbers game, the deep weedline is the place to go.

Plenty of healthy bass is why Mille Lacs lake has been named the best lake in the country for bass fishing. Out of 12 other lakes, Mille Lacs ranks as number one by Bassmaster Magazine due to its high number of healthy smallmouth bass.

The early bass season is a very entertaining time of the year. I enjoy chasing the shallow water fish and watching their acrobatics as they try desperately to spit the hook with no place to go but airborne. However, my favorite time of the year to target bass is in July and August when the fish are congregated on the deep weed line.

Outdoors Editor Jerry Carlson shows us some tips for fishing bass in the weeds of Central Minnesota lakes and rivers.