Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

Black bass are fast becoming the most popular quarry of New England's sportfishermen.

According to Andrew Schafermeyer and Bryan Comeau, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department fisheries biologists, smallmouth bass require three things -- food, cover and access to deep water. Look for smallmouths around river influxes and areas with wind-driven current.

Largemouth bass may be found in waters that are warmer, shallower or more fertile than a smallmouth could tolerate. Largemouths favor areas with gently sloping shorelines and less current.

Though both species like plenty of cover, smallies will gravitate toward rocky cover, while largemouths prefer woody cover and weedbeds.

Here's a look at what's in store for New England's bass anglers in 2008.

CONNECTICUT
While bass fishing in the Nutmeg State continues to be excellent, fisheries biologists are keeping a close eye on the extent and effects of largemouth bass virus, or LMBV.

"We are testing bass when we can, and the virus has been found in two waters so far," said Robert Jacobs, a Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Fisheries Division biologist. "We suspect that the virus may be widespread.

"It was responsible for one large bass kill that we know of, but the population in the affected lake seems to be recovering. Although it has not yet been documented, there is also concern among Northeastern fisheries scientists that it may sometimes negatively affect smallmouth bass as well as largemouths."

Meanwhile, studies are underway to see how the state's management of special regulation waters is impacting the fishery.

"We are sampling by electro-shocking and with creel surveys in our 20 Bass Management Program lakes to assess the effects of special length and creel limits," Jacobs said. "These lakes and a few others continue to provide some of the best bass fishing in the state."

Among the state's Bass Management Program lakes, a few good places to try are Bashan Lake, Moodus Reservoir, Pickerel Lake, Mudge Pond, Wononscopomuc Lake and Mamanasco Lake. Other tried and true waters are Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Pachaug Pond and the Connecticut River, Jacobs noted.