In terms of popularity, bass fishing is rated the number one fish species among avid anglers. Sure, trout has great crowds. However, that’s mainly during the season opener and again during some of the inseason trout stockings. But bass season, which opened June 14, has a loyal following almost 12 months a year, with some no harvest dates within that time.

Regarding this, few anglers keep and eat bass. Yes, they’re tasty. But true bass anglers would rather safely release them to be caught another day and in hopes they would become larger.

When seeking top bass waters in the Lehigh Valley region, veteran anglers hit the big three of Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos, Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County and Lake Nockamixon in Bucks County.

On a smaller scale, there’s Beltzville Lake in Carbon County, Lake Galena in Bucks and Locust and Tuscarora lakes in Schuylkill County. In the Poconos it’s Pecks Pond and Promised Land (upper and lower) lakes. Then there’s my favorite, Shohola Lake that has always been a good bass performer. In fact, one time I hooked a large snapping turtle on a spinnerbait there. I thought I was snagged, but upon retrieving it closer, saw this huge snapper. Needless to say, I didn’t want my hand chomped on so I cut the line and it went on its merry way. Hope the spinnerbait eventually rusted out of its jaw.

Of course there are local farm ponds that harbor some hefty four and five-pound largemouths. These small one- or two-acre shallow ponds may fool you into thinking they don’t hold sizable bass, but many of them do. And they are a great place to take a youngster as they’re almost guaranteed to catch something.

Another great spot is Ontelaunee Reservoir in Berks County. As it’s a no watercraft water, only wading is allowed. And that means chest waders to navigate the perimeter of the lake to fish the deeper, hot spots. Five-pound bass are plentiful there if you can find them. You may also encounter snakeheads there as well. If you happen to latch onto one, kill it as they are invasive. One more thing about Ontelaunee is that social media is reporting a lot of Lilly pads that are prevalent right now which customarily happens in the summer. Regulars there switch from swimbaits to weed less lures like frogs. When a bass hits it, the hookup is exciting as the bass busts out from underneath the pads to eat it.

And let’s not forget Leaser Lake in upper Lehigh County. There are some sizable bass there that are often caught when fishing for trout or panfish. The coves could be productive in early morning and the deeper water by the dam are good spots to try.

For smallmouth bass, the Lehigh River below the falls in Cementon-Northampton is always a favored spot by local anglers. And in Northampton County, the Delaware River is even a better smallmouth fishery. Don’t overlook the Schuylkill River in Berks County.

During the hot, steamy days of summer, bass action on lakes and ponds is usually best at dawn and dusk when the bass are shallow and actively feeding. That, or when a storm is incoming bass seem to turn on for some reason. But if thunder is heard or lightning seen, pack it in and seek shelter.

If you do decide to creel a bass, keep in mind that they must be 12 inches in length and a creel limit of six combined species (smallmouth and largemouth).