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By Terry Knight — Clear Lake is fondly referred to as the “Bass Capitol of the West” by both recreational fishermen and professional tournament fishermen. This is a lake where five-pound bass are common and even a ten pounder won’t raise an eyebrow. The result is that thousands of fishermen visit the lake yearly to pit their skills against the king of freshwater fish — the largemouth bass. The reason Clear Lake bass grow to such astronomical weights is because it’s a shallow lake with a rich combination of nutrients that supply the food for millions of small invertebrates. The smaller fish like threadfin shad, silverside minnows, bluegill, hitch, and other bait fish, feed on this rich food supply and in turn provide a smorgasbord for the bass and catfish. Clear Lake also has ideal structure for bass, with its combination of tules, docks and submerged rocks. The lake record for largemouth bass is 17.52 pounds, but many fishermen say there are even larger bass lurking in the waters of the lake. Just about anyone can catch a bragging-size bass. All that is needed is a rod and reel and a lure — like a plastic worm or crankbait. Of course a boat is needed to reach the best fishing areas.

In addition to the outstanding bass fishing, the lake holds some huge catfish. The lake record is 33 1/4 pounds and 20 pounders don’t even draw a second glance.

For those that prefer a tasty plate of crappie, the lake is loaded with these delicious pan fish. In fact, the past two years has seen the crappie population explode with catches of up to 50 fish per day being common.

One of the primary attractions of Clear Lake is its many free boat launching ramps. Modern ramps exist in all the towns and communities around the lake as well as several county parks and at Clear Lake State Park.

For the visitor that’s unfamiliar with the fishing opportunities the lake has to offer there are a number of excellent fishing guides available. The guide furnishes the boat and all the equipment. The Lake County Visitor Information Center can provide the names of guides. Call 1-800-525-3743.

In addition to Clear Lake, Lake County has several other lakes that offer excellent fishing and camping opportunities

Lake Pillsbury is located in the Mendocino National Forest and offers not only excellent trout fishing but bass fishing as well. The lake is stocked with trout throughout the summer and there is also a good population of bass and bluegill. There are several campgrounds and boat ramps plus a resort at the lake. This is an ideal place to spend a vacation.

Tiny Upper Blue Lake, located on Highway 20 between Upper Lake and Ukiah, is popular with bass and trout fishing enthusiasts. The Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with trout monthly and there are a number of resorts at the lake where you can rent boats and cabins. Fishermen can also fish off the docks or the shore.

For those who seek solitude, Indian Valley Reservoir is an ideal choice. The lake sits in the southeastern section of the county and offers excellent bass and trout fishing. The lake is stocked with the Eagle Lake strain of trout and kokanee salmon. There are two boat ramps at the lake and a campground plus a store. The attractive part about this lake is that there are no buildings or docks on the shoreline.

For those that don’t care to fish, but just want to view wildlife, the shores of Clear Lake hold thousands of birds. The majestic western grebe is one of the more popular water birds on the lake. With more than 30,000 grebes calling Clear Lake home it’s one of the largest concentrations of these birds in the world. White pelicans can be found in abundance. Ospreys also call Clear Lake home. This “fish eagle” can be seen diving from great heights and snatching up a fish to feed its brood. Otters are also in abundance and can be seen playing along the shoreline.

CAMPING AND HIKING — Lake County is a mecca for campers and hikers. The Mendocino National Forest has campgrounds that range from improved to primitive. One of the more popular camping areas is at Lake Pillsbury. There are three Forest Service Campgrounds that sit on the shore of the lake. Many visitors use the campgrounds as a “jumping off” site for hiking on nearby Hull Mountain and other areas in the national forest. One of the more isolated campgrounds is Bear Creek which is situated at the edge of the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area. This primitive campground offers beauty and solitude.

The nearby Snow Mountain Wilderness Area is popular with hikers. The well maintained trails meander through cool pine forests. From the 7,200 foot summit of Snow Mountain, one can see much of the Sacramento Valley including Mount Shasta.

One of the more popular camping areas in the county is Clear Lake State Park. The park sits on the shores of Clear Lake and has 147 campsites, a boat ramp and a swimming area. There are several nature trails that meander through the park where you can view deer, wild turkeys and various birds.