Last weekend (June 16) was the reopening of bass season in most Pennsylvania waters. As usual, and unlike the trout opener, bass season opens with little fanfare. But unlike trout season, very few anglers keep bass they catch as most practice catch-and-release so they can fool them into biting another day.

Without a doubt, more angler money is spent on tackle, gear and boats for bass fishing than any other Pennsylvania fish species. The largemouth bass is king on local lakes while the smallmouth reins in rivers. Many local anglers will customarily head to the “big three” for their bass action. This trio, comprised of Beltzville Lake in Lehighton, Blue Marsh Reservoir in Reading and Lake Nockamixon outside of Quakertown, are the top local bassin’ waters. But there are others, most of which are in the Pocono region. They are as follows:

* Shohola Lake: While it’s a shallow lake, it still holds some sizable bass. This Game Commission waterfowl lake can be found off Route 6 between Milford and Lake Wallenpaupack, the largest lake in the northeast.

* Fairview Lake: Popular among Lehigh Valley anglers, this 194-acre, limited-access, deep lake is only minutes from Lake Wallenpaupack and Promised Land and located off Route 390.

* Promised Land Lakes: the larger 420-acre upper lake holds largemouth and an occasional smallie. There’s also the lower lake, both of which are located in the state park off Route 390.

* Gouldsboro Lake: Situated on the Monroe-Wayne County line, the lake is part of Gouldsboro State Park and is accessed via I-380 and Route 507.

* Tobyhanna lakes: A short drive from Gouldsboro on I-380 in Monroe County are two Tobyhanna State Park lakes - one of them is 170 acres in size. They’re located off Route 423 west of the village of Tobyhanna.

* Brady’s Lake: Located on a paved road off Route 940 between Pocono Manor and White Haven, this 230-acre Big Bass regulation lake is a popular bassin’ spot.

* Locust & Tuscarora lakes: Part of Tuscarora State Park is in Schuylkill County, but these sister lakes offer 52 acres at Locust and 100 acres at Tuscarora. They’re located west of Barnesville, near Route 52.

* Mauch Chunk Lake: This popular 330-acre Big Bass regulation lake west of Jim Thorpe on Lentz Trail Road, offers good bassing, however the fish are traditionally small.

For those who fished Peck’s Pond in the Pocono’s, I understand it has been drained for repairs as is Lake Minsi in Northampton County.

While the list is impressive, you may prefer to stay local and fish a farm pond, some of which harbor 5-6 pound bass. Since they’re private, stopping by a nearby house to find out who owns it and then asking permission to fish it, may bring big surprises from small waters.

For those seeking larger fish, blues are being caught along the New Jersey coast. Capt. Bogan of the 125-foot Jamaica headboat said blues have been hitting jigs and Crocs with fish up to 6-pounds coming over the rails. Rickey Killey of Allentown, fished with Bogan on a recent trip and his 6-pound blue was the pool winner.

Capt. Falcone from the Golden Eagle head boat out of Belmar, reported good action on blues that are hitting jigs and teasers. Fish are generally in the 3-pound range but he had a few up to 14 pounds. In addition to blues, fluke and sea bass are also being caught.