There are anglers who dream of reeling in a fish that exceeds the weight of Georgia's world record largemouth bass caught in 1932 (22 lbs. 4 oz.). Yet, the largemouth bass is just one member, albeit the most well-known, of the black bass family which also includes shoal, spotted, redeye (also called Coosa), Suwannee and smallmouth, all of which can be found in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has put together the following information to make it easy to pursue your favorite bass species.

"Fishing for bass is an all-time favorite passion of many, many anglers in Georgia and is the most popular type of freshwater fishing in the nation," says WRD Assistant Chief of Fisheries Management John Biagi. "Bass are appealing because they are relatively abundant in most water bodies throughout Georgia, they grow to a quality size, are aggressive fighters and provide a fun challenge to catch."

At this time of year, post spawn bass are moving from the shallows to offshore areas to feed heavily on forage. Anglers should target offshore structures (trees, stumps, creek channels, rocks or artificial fish attractors) in 12-25 feet of water. Favorite lures for bass are crankbaits, Texas or Carolina-rigged plastic worms and live baits such as minnows and nightcrawlers.

WRD recommends the following prime bass fishing spots (many additional good locations also are available throughout the great fishing state of Georgia):

• Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area (PFA) - two lakes offer excellent bass fishing.
• Lake Hartwell - target primary and secondary points in coves for bigger fish.
• Lake Lanier - great lake for spotted bass that inhabit steeper, more rocky banks than largemouth.
• Lake Varner - reservoir lake with great largemouth bass fishing.
• McDuffie PFA - a great location to fish for bass and spend a fun day with the family.
• Flint River - highly recommended for shoal bass.
• West Point Lake - good largemouth bass fishing and increasing abundance of spotted bass.
• Big Lazer PFA - feels like a well-managed farm pond-great fishing without reservoir size crowds.
• High Falls Lake - Try Buck Creek when fishing for big bass.
• Lake Walter F. George - excellent numbers of largemouth that exceed 16 inches in length.
• Ocmulgee PFA - this new PFA (opening June 10) promises some memorable bass fishing.
• Ocmulgee River north of Macon - the stretch of the river between Lake Jackson and Macon contains some prime shoal bass habitat that may harbor the trophy you've been seeking.
• Lake Seminole - Excellent early season choice for largemouth.
• Dodge County PFA - some really nice largemouth have recently been pulled from this PFA.
• Paradise PFA - every year anglers catch fish over or pushing the 10 lb. mark from lakes on this PFA.
• Hugh Gillis PFA - this new PFA is well on its way to providing a great bass fishing location.
• Altamaha-target oxbow lakes and areas with current breaks (eddies) in the main run of river.

Take Me Fishing! * A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.

For more information on bass fishing in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com.