Non-residents can obtain an annual fishing permit for $35,
which includes access to both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie,
encompassing the entirety of the Santee Cooper system. Fishing
reports are available online, and even though anglers favor these
lakes more in the springtime, the bass are definitely biting on
through winter in fair to good conditions here. The lakes will
not freeze over during the winter months, and weather is fairly
decent during this season, so planning a fall fishing trip to Santee
Cooper is probably the best idea we have had in a while.
Third place on the list goes to Clear Lake in Lake County,
California. Clear Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in
California, and Clear Lake State Park rests on its shorelines, so
there are plenty of other activities to do here as well, including
hiking trails, swimming, and water-skiing. Boat and fishing gear
rentals are available along the way at a plethora of marinas, so if
you come unprepared for any reason, you can find everything
you need right on site.
Clear Lake has more than sixty square miles of surface area alone.
The Basin is home to a variety of wildlife, including blue herons,
pelicans, deer, bear, bald eagles, egrets, mountain lions, and
more. The site of Clear Lake is said to be one of the oldest lakes
in North America, with lake history and findings dating back
2.5 million years. The water in the lake stays relatively warm all
year round, so it makes for perfect bass feeding grounds. Other
species of fish also reside in Clear Lake, such as catfish, crappie,
blackfish, and bluegill.
Annual fishing licenses for Clear Lake are a bit more expensive,
because they entail a Sport Fishing clause. You can, however,
obtain a 10-day non-resident sport fishing license for roughly
$45-$50, which will allow you to fish at your leisure for 10
consecutive days. We recommend this for those of you who will
be making a short fishing trip to Clear Lake, rather than buying
an annual permit that you may only use once.
CLEAR LAKE
IS KNOWN AS
THE BASS CAPITAL
OF THE WEST.
Since 2012, Clear Lake has held its ranking in the top 10 “Best Bass Lakes” in the nation, so you really can’t
go wrong fishing here. Earlier this year, a 16.3-pound largemouth bass was caught, which was “the biggest
catch on the lake since 1990,” Bassmaster notes. It is said that two thirds of all fish caught on the lake are
largemouth bass, so come prepared to reel in a big boy, which will probably average between 5-11 pounds.
20 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors