If the walleye is king due north, then the bass is definitely a prince. People are just beginning to realize what's out there. The largemouth and the smallmouth have been doing very, very well. Evidence the rise in high-profile bass tournaments coming to the Land of 10,000 lakes. When you think you are going slow enough, slow down some more.
Backwaters are key locations on rivers like the Mississippi.
Radio tracking studies show black bass winter in the shallow areas where current is low so they can avoid hard work but still moving enough to provide oxygen and an occasional meal. Bass will still be there in early spring. On lakes and reservoirs, look for major tributaries and deep creek channels, especially on the north side where the sun warms first. Seek out spots where points reach all the way from the shoreline to the deep water or to river channels or where the channel brushes the shore. Look for deeper wood or other nearby cover that might attract fish.