Bass angling in the Hoosier State is only getting better. No matter where you live, there is a good bass lake within easy driving distance. In many of our lakes, trophy-class bass are present, and sometimes in good numbers.

The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) has worked hard to improve the bass fisheries and the results speak for themselves. Special restrictions, such as minimum size and slot limits, along with habitat improvements and angler surveys, have produced excellent bass fishing in many waters.

Here's a look at our best bets for tangling with big bucketmouths this year.

MONROE RESERVOIR
"Monroe is a good night spot from my experience," said Bob Craig, a local bass-fishing expert on Monroe.

"I haven't caught the (size) bass on Monroe that I've caught on Patoka, but I've done well at night.

"I'll use plastic worms after dark in a red shad color. If you can see 1 foot into the water, bass can see from 8 to 10 feet. They've got much better eyesight than we do."

Spring fishing for bass means plying the creek entrances and on upstream for a bit. Jig-and-pigs and shallow-running crankbaits are ideal for catching bass that are moving up into warmer water.

Monroe Reservoir covers 10,750 sprawling acres in Monroe, Jackson and Brown counties. The water is relatively clear in most places and reaches depths of 54 feet.

Spring largemouths tend to congregate on the dropoffs in Moores Creek Bay. A small launch ramp is available on a finger extending off the bay on Paynetown Road. Tossing spinnerbaits is one of the most effective ways to catch bass here.

The Allens Creek area still has plenty of fallen trees and old stumps with some good vegetation. The closest ramp is at the east end of the area off Allens Creek Road. Another spring hotspot is the Ramp Creek area's submerged weedbeds and fallen trees.

Boat ramps dot this fine reservoir. The nine public ramps are located on Monroe Dam Road north of the dam, Fairfax Road, Allens Creek Road, Hardin Ridge Road, Paynetown Road, Gilmore Ridge Road, Crooked Creek and on the loop off state Route 446, south of the causeway.

For more information, contact District 6 at (812) 334-1137 or the reservoir office at (812) 837-9546.

For trip-planning assistance, contact the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention and Visitor's Bureau at (800) 800-0037 or online at www.visitbloomington.com.

BROOKVILLE RESERVOIR
"Brookville is unique for the southern half of Indiana because it offers good opportunities for both smallmouths and largemouths," said Rhett Wisener, a fisheries biologist with District 5.

"We find largemouth bass more prevalent in the upper half of the lake and in the creek arms, such as Templeton and Wolf, in the lower half. The upper section of the lake is shallower with more flats than the lower end and the creeks offer a good amount of standing timber and laydowns. In addition to being deeper and having more bluff-type banks, the lower section of the lake has plenty of rock and boulder structure. This is where the smallmouths tend to be."

The sizes of the largemouths are more impressive than the numbers.

"Most of the bass anglers I know don't think Brookville has much to offer," Wisener said.

"I have seen quality-sized largemouths 20 inches and larger. I'd guess the biggest smallmouth was 18 inches. In 2002, 25 percent of all largemouths collected during the survey were 14 inches or longer."

The lake is extremely clear with some estimates claiming visibility runs to 20 feet at times. Look for bucketmouths in submerged vegetation, which should be more abundant this year because of increased water clarity.