Largemouth Bass

Deep-bodied olive-green fish with a dark lateral stripe, jaw extending past the eye, and a deep notch between the two dorsal fins (unlike smallmouth).

Shallow weed beds, lily pads, docks, laydowns, and stumps. Prefer stained warm water 68–82°F. Rarely found on open rock like smallmouth.

• Flip a Texas-rigged creature bait into thick mats and pads in mid-summer.
• Throw a hollow-body frog across surface weeds at dawn.
• Slow-roll a spinnerbait along stained shorelines after a summer thunderstorm.

6 sport / 2 conservation in most FMZs. Confirm your zone.

Always confirm before your trip: Ontario Fishing Rules & Licences.

Mapped waters in our guide that hold largemouth bass — tap through for FMZ, regulations, and tactics.

• Anstruther Lake – Kawartha HighlandsFMZ 15
• Balsam Lake Provincial ParkFMZ 17
• Bay of QuinteFMZ 20
• Bay of Quinte – TrentonFMZ 20
• Big Rideau LakeFMZ 18
• Big Rideau Lake – PortlandFMZ 18
• Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw LakeFMZ 18
• Buckhorn Lake – County Rd 23 LaunchFMZ 17
• Cameron Lake – Fenelon FallsFMZ 17
• Charleston LakeFMZ 18

Browse all waters on the fishing map →

• Kawartha Lakes Fishing Guide
• Walleye vs. Pike vs. Bass — Best First Species