Where can you find smallmouth bass

Unlike the largemouth bass, the lower jaw of its moderate-sized mouth does not extend past its eye. Juveniles consume zooplankton, insect larvae, small fish and crayfish. Adults feed on insects, amphibians, fish and crayfish, as well as the young of other smallmouth bass.

Spawning occurs on rocky lake shoals or in river shallows from spring to early summer when water temperatures reach 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Males build and guard small, round nests. Several females may spawn in the nest of one male, and individual females may spawn in the nests of several males. Smallmouths are in the sunfish family and one of the six black bass members, which is any of the six freshwater species of elongated fishes in the sunfish family of the genus Micropterus.

This fish is prolific in most tropical and temperate North American regions and can grow up to 12 pounds and 27 inches in length. The smallmouth bass has been widely transplanted across North America; however, they are not as widespread as the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides.

Other smallmouth bass names include brown bass, bronze bass , and smallie. The smallmouth bass fish is one of the hardest fighting freshwater species, highly sought after by anglers in North America. The dark bars radiate from its eye on its cheek and gill cover. The upper jaw on a smallmouth extends back to the midpoint of the eye.

The dorsal fin of smallmouth bass is not as profoundly notched as that of largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass females are commonly larger than males, ranging in weight between two to three pounds instead of four to seven pounds for their mates. Depending on their habitat, smallmouths will grow up to 30 inches long, depending on how long the weather holds for them to feed. The smallmouth bass habitat affects their weight, shape, and even color, seeing as lakeside species are more oval-shaped than river water fish, which tend to be torpedo-shaped.

While the stream smallmouth is a darker brown, the lake or reservoir fishes are lighter, almost yellow-brownish, as this is effective for hunting. Habitat and Habits The smallmouth bass can withstand relatively strong currents and prefer clearer water than its largemouth bass cousins. This predatory fish can adjust to conditions better than trout species. At this time, they feed rarely and will school together or move sluggishly in groups at the bottom of rivers, lakes, or ponds.

Smallmouth bass are a popular recreational species in the United States. State fish and wildlife agencies manage smallmouth bass by conserving and protecting smallmouth habitat, installing nesting cover in their habitat, stocking, and using various recreational fishing regulations to control the harvest of smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass have been introduced into many countries for recreational fishing purposes.

Several countries have reported negative impacts from the introductions of smallmouth bass. Enter Search Term s :. Catch the Fun! Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, Lacepiede, Cool Facts It normally takes three to five years of growth before smallmouth bass are legally harvestable in states that have a minimum recreational size limit of 12 inches. The jaw of the Smallmouth Bass does not extend past the eye. Dark bars radiate back from the eye and one bar radiates from the eye to the snout.

The body colour of Smallmouth Bass changes with size, condition and habitat. It will be darker with pronounced, contrasting markings in clear water and lighter, with blurry markings in cloudy water. Smallmouth Bass is native to the fresh waters of eastern-central North America.

Historically, introductions of Smallmouth Bass to other parts of Canada for recreational fishing were allowed until the late s. Smallmouth Bass is a popular sport fish, but can be invasive when introduced to new lakes and rivers. Recent spread is a result of accidental introductions when used as live bait and unauthorized transfers between waterbodies for recreational fishing. In some areas, Smallmouth Bass is considered established and is managed for recreational fishing.