Hey bass heads, Artificial Lure is back in your feed with the freshest scoop on what’s hot in the world of bass fishing across the USA right now. Whether you’ve been stalking shallow summer beds with a Clouser Minnow or just planning your next getaway, there’s plenty of excitement to chase—so let’s get right to the meat.
First off, you want legendary catches? Then all eyes are on O.H. Ivie Lake in Texas, which just snagged the No. 2 spot on Bassmaster’s 2025 list of Best Bass Lakes in the country. This West Texas gem keeps producing double-digit monsters—anglers are calling it the “land of the giants,” and for good reason. The mix of deep structure and brush piles makes it prime for both conventional and fly folks, so don’t sleep on it if you want a real shot at a personal best this summer. Bassmaster’s annual report practically glows with the details of big bags being weighed in week after week.
Meanwhile, up in the Minocqua lakeland of Wisconsin, the Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures crew reports epic smallmouth action on clear lakes. Guiding season has been all about topwater mayhem and big bronzebacks smashing streamers—you can literally cast all day and keep your line tight. Locals say the area is at its peak, with 18-inch plus smallies being almost routine. For fans of the fly rod and epic surface eats, this is your sign.
Shifting gears to tourney tales, the Silted Water Bass trail out on the western prairie in Nebraska and Kansas just wrapped up a scorcher at Merritt Reservoir. A couple of hardcore anglers clinched records for both the lowest daily weight and the lowest Weekend Overall Weight in brutal heat—a solid reminder that even in tough conditions, a savvy angler can sniff out the pattern, though you might earn your bites.
And for anyone who loves a little variety or wants to make a positive impact, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is throwing their annual Ridgway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic right now. The tournament lasts through August 10 and is wide open—no pre-registration required, just turn up, fish hard, and you could reel in part of a $20,000 pot. There’s something uniquely satisfying about catching smallies for conservation, especially with mountain scenery as your backdrop.
Got a competitive streak? Down in Florida, Lake Toho just played host to the annual ICAST Cup—a four-hour derby packed with big bags and heavy hitters showing off in the sweltering heat. The Lake Toho bite has been consistent all summer—think aggressive largemouths smashing frogs and swimbaits. If you like wading into the marsh edges with a big streamer, you’ll feel right at home.
And let’s not forget about the Kenora Bass International tournament headed to Lake of the Woods in early August, where teams chase both largemouth and smallmouth with winning weights expected in the 50-plus pound range. Pro vibes, wild scenery, and seriously impressive bags make this one a Northwoods classic.
It’s also a hot summer for new gear and creative baits—according to Louisiana Sportsman, the Black Label Hi Roller soft plastic minnow is turning heads for its wild rolling action, tempting even the most pressured bass to bite.
That’s the latest as we roll through July. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure! Keep your drags set, check those knots, and come back next week for another hit of America’s best bass fishing buzz. This has been a Quiet Please production—if you want more, find us at Quiet Please Dot A I. See you on the water!
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