Bassmaster Ranks 7 FL Hot Spots Among SE's Best Bass Fishing Destinations

TAMPA — Florida has once again upheld its reputation as one of the nation's premier bass fishing destinations, placing seven fisheries in Bassmaster Magazine's 2026 Southeastern Division Best Bass Lakes rankings.

The Sunshine State's highest-ranked fishery was the Lake Tohopekaliga/Kissimmee Chain, which finished second in the regional rankings and seventh overall in the nation.

The Withlacoochee River/Lake Rousseau system followed at No. 3 in the Southeast and ninth nationally.

Also earning spots in the Southeastern Division Top 25 were Orange Lake (No. 8); Fellsmere Reservoir/Headwaters/Lake Egan (No. 10); Lake Talquin (No. 15); Lake Seminole on the Florida-Georgia border (No. 17); and the Harris Chain of Lakes (No. 21).

The rankings were released as part of Bassmaster Magazine's annual "100 Best Bass Lakes" issue, which highlights the nation's top fisheries for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.

This year's list coincides with the nation's 250th anniversary and celebrates America's public waters as a cornerstone of the nation's outdoor heritage.

"From sea to shining sea, America is blessed with an incredible variety of bass fisheries," Bassmaster Magazine Editor-in-Chief James Hall said in announcing the rankings. "As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, there's no better time to hitch up the boat and experience the very best bass fishing our country has to offer."

Florida also claimed two of the nation's top 10 bass fisheries.

The Lake Tohopekaliga/Kissimmee Chain ranked No. 7 overall, while the Withlacoochee River/Lake Rousseau system came in at No. 9 overall.

Bassmaster said the annual rankings are based on tournament results, state fisheries data, input from fisheries biologists, B.A.S.S. Nation leaders, local experts and feedback from anglers across the country.

With seven lakes appearing in the Southeastern Division rankings, Florida led all states in the region and tied Michigan for the second-most lakes nationally.

Only Texas, with 10 ranked fisheries, placed more lakes in Bassmaster's 2026 rankings.