Fishing at Bass Lake has created lasting memories for many since the dam was built in 1896 and the lake was named Crane Valley Reservoir. The lake was known as Bass Lake only after having to be replanted by Bass Lake Lumber Company when they polluted the lake, killing all of the fish many years ago. BLC restocked the lake with Bass. Since then it's been stocked with Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Catfish, Crappie and Bluegill. The warm surface water of 75 to 78 degrees in the summer draws many boaters of all types including Salmon fishing boats with black booms hanging over the sides loaded with fishing poles driving slow in the deep end of the lake. The black booms extending out from the boats are downriggers. They allow the fishermen to fish deep enough to catch the salmon and trout in the cold water 30-100 feet deep.

In 1982 when Kokanee Salmon were introduced to the lake it created a great summertime fishery, something the lake needed to fill the gap when water temp prohibits trout stocking. Summertime is Kokanee salmon season and Bass Lake is home to some of the largest Kokanee in the state every year.

One of the best Kokanee guides Todd Wittwer is right here on Bass Lake. Top notch Bass swim baits were designed and proven with lake records right here in Bass Lake by Alan Borden now distributed by "Strike King”. Plan a day or two of fishing on your next visit to Bass Lake. With bruiser Bass and king sized Kokanee, Bass Lake is full of great family fishing memories waiting for you.

The lake is 4 1/2 miles long and less than 1/2 mile wide in most places lined by 5MPH orange buoys all the way around during the summer. The lake has a 5MPH speed limit until 8 AM allowing for a couple of hours of peaceful fishing anywhere on the lake. The public boat ramp is located at the southeast end of the lake right next to the dam. The lake has four main bays and one straight with plenty of quite coves load with warm water fish. The Forks bay on the west end has an average 20' depth, the straight from the Pines to the Sheriff’s tower averages 40 feet. From the sheriff’s tower to Fawn point is 60' deep in the main channel with some points and rises. Fawn point to the old dam on the point in front of Millers Landing is eighty feet deep on the average with some trees standing up to 50 feet tall that were not cut down before filling the lake. The last big bay is in front of the Wishon Public Boat Ramp and the Dam where the lake reaches just over 100 feet deep with lots of trees still standing under water. In this bay there are two Jet Ski areas, the one on the north side has lots of trees in and around it and is a good kokanee holding area. Fishing in this area is good until 8am when the traffic starts and the jet skis take over just watch your depth around the trees. The 5 MPH area by the dam has less trees and that is where the Kokanee fishermen retreat after 8am when the traffic starts.