The catch rate for bass over 12 inches was the best since the lake was first surveyed in 1978, while the catch rate for bass over 15 inches was the best since 1988, when a rate of 12 bass per hour was recorded and the total catch was less than half of what is now is.

Lake Somerset is a 252-acre Fish and Boat Commission impoundment in Somerset County. There are two boat launches. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.

NORTHWEST REGION
In June 2005, night electro-shocking crews surveyed Shenango Lake in Mercer County to monitor changes in the quantity and size structure of its black bass population.

They found that largemouth bass numbers had increased from the previous survey in 2003, but smallmouth bass numbers were down. The bulk of the largemouths were in the 8- to 16-inch range, with the largest over 21 inches. Most smallmouths were from 6 inches to 13 inches.

This 3,560-acre lake is managed under the Big Bass Program.

Tamarack Lake is a shallow, 562-acre Fish and Boat Commission impoundment in Crawford County. In 1999 it was drained for repairs to the dams at either end and then restocked the next year. It was surveyed last May by electro-shocking to get a handle on largemouth bass recovery rates, but the results have been less than desired.

Lake Erie has the best smallmouth bass fishery in the world, yet fishing pressure is remarkably light. According to one of several ongoing studies, the Lake Erie Cooperative Angler Log, only 5 percent of fishing trips target smallmouths.

The Lake Erie Boat Angling Survey, taken from interviews with anglers at access areas, showed that 9 percent targeted smallmouths and only 3 percent of the catch was smallmouths. More than half of the catch was made during May, and more than a quarter of the catch was taken during June, leaving just 21 percent for the remainder of the year. Those two heavy fishing months constitute the "trophy bass season," during which 88 percent of smallmouth fishing effort takes place.

NORTH-CENTRAL REGION
Fisheries research leans toward trout in the North-Central Region more so than in the other regions. This area consists primarily of the Allegheny Highlands, where fisheries are mostly swift, cool streams. One result of this is that bass fisheries tend to be overlooked.

One example is George B. Stevenson Lake, where an 8-pound largemouth was taken a few years ago. Local anglers head there every evening to take advantage of the good bass fishing.

At Rose Valley Lake in Lycoming County, an electro-shocking survey in May 2005 revealed an excellent bass population with good-sized fish. The catch rate was 150 bass per hour, and 74 percent were longer than 12 inches. Smallmouths are present but the majority of the bass are largemouths.

This 389-acre Fish and Boat Commission lake is managed under the Big Bass Program. Under these regulations, bass size structure has been slowly but steadily improving.

Only electric motors are allowed. There is no launch site, so boats must be light enough to be carried to the water.