There are good bass lakes and then there are great bass lakes. The difference between the two is the potential to hook into an average size bass or a trophy bass. Lakes like Monroe, Summit, Robinson, Eagle Creek, Brookville and Patoka don't need much of an introduction. They're among the state's big-bass powerhouses. The bass may not jump into your boat, but if you spend a little time on the water, there's a good chance of connecting with the fish of a lifetime.

The recent flooding throughout Indiana has caused some concern about this year's big-bass opportunities. But not to worry, said fisheries biologist Rhett Wisener.

According to Wisener, bass aren't likely to abandon ship and leave a lake when the water is overflowing a dam or running out onto fields. Some fish may go with the flow, but Wisener hasn't heard of any cases where flooding has seriously hurt a bass fishery. In some instances, higher water can help the bass fishing in the long run. Panfish have highly successful spawns and flood the lake with hordes of bite-sized fish to provide great forage. When the water is up but doesn't stay that way for too long of a time, bass will also spawn successfully because of the influx of new cover.

Here's a look at lakes in Hoosierland that will be your best bets for big bass this year.

MONROE RESERVOIR
There are a handful of lakes in the state that qualify as big-bass lakes and Monroe is one of them.

"Monroe Reservoir near Bloomington is one of the best, if not the best, water bodies for largemouth bass in Indiana," said assistant fisheries biologist Joel Stiras. "For several years now, anglers have had trouble locating the bass, since the relatively stable water levels have allowed vegetation to develop in the shallows. But if you can find them, some of these bass are big."

According to Stiras, anglers used to find the bucketmouths off points and in deeper water. Over the last several years, the bass have begun to relate more to the weedbeds. A decade ago, there was very little submerged vegetation and that's all changed.

Dedra Hawkins manages The Fishin' Shedd in Bloomington and she knows just about every nook and cranny on Monroe. After all, she's fished the lake for over 40 years.

"The bass fishing wasn't that good last year, but I know that some 6-pounders were taken by a couple of local anglers who know the lake," Hawkins said.

The Pine Grove area is a great place to fish the channel edges for lunker-sized bass. When water levels are down, you'll need a lake map and a depthfinder to follow the old channel. (Continued)

Another good spot is the Boy Scout Camp area on the south side of the lake. The vegetation is variable, depending on water levels, but there are plenty of rocks, ledges and wood to fish over and around.

Tie on a Zoom Bait Company Worm or Lizard to work submerged cover, or a Stanley Ribbit Frog to fish the lily pads.