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Rating depth structure for largemouth bass.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
1,648-acre lake near Oakley. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
Traced from the shoreline, Big Break runs 1,632 acres with 10.7 miles of edge. Index 1.9 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. There is no deep basin to speak of — the entire surface is under ~15 ft, prime weed water end to end. Tip to tip the water measures near 2.9 mi with a 1.5-mi widest point. You'll find it in Contra Costa County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Franks Tract, 6 mi east of here.
In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 20 ft before dropping to 6 to 20 ft for winter. Spring largemouth bass concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 3 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Secondary point (3 ft) | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (7 ft) | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Spring striped bass on Big Break hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 6 to 20 ft in summer, 6 to 20 ft once it turns cold. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 16 ft that grades prime for summer. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a topwater walker at low light or a paddletail on a light jig.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (3 ft) | 3-5 inch baitfish swimbait, Suspending minnow plug |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (16 ft) | Topwater walker at low light, Paddletail on a light jig |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Baitfish swimbait, Metal jig |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 50 ft | midday | Deep basin (16 ft) | Slow paddletail, Bucktail near bottom |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: bluegill in 1 to 6 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 4 to 15 ft before dropping to 6 to 20 ft for winter. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for bluegill in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | 1/32 oz jig + micro plastic, Tiny popper (evenings) |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Back-bay flat (4 ft) | Small sponge spider (fly), Micro tube jig |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday | Break off the point (7 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 25 ft | midday | Deep basin (16 ft) | Tiny spoon |
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 6 to 20 ft before dropping to 6 to 20 ft for winter. Winter channel catfish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 16 ft. Fish it in after dark and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (16 ft) | |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Deep basin (16 ft) | |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | midday | Deep basin (16 ft) |
8 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 16 ft, is the deepest of them.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for California waters are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to Big Break specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official California fishing regulations →
Big Break is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target largemouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, channel catfish on Big Break.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Big Break is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Check the official California regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Franks Tract 6 mi · Clifton Court Forebay 14 mi · Suisun Bay 16 mi · Bethany Reservoir 17 mi · Lake Del Valle 29 mi · Napa River 35 mi · San Pablo Bay 37 mi · Richardson Bay 44 mi · American River (Lower) 44 mi · Petaluma River 46 mi · Lake Berryessa 50 mi · Bolinas Bay 53 mi
See how Big Break stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in California · best bluegill lakes in California · best channel catfish lakes in California · best striped bass lakes in California
Browse all California fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.