smallmouth-bass
Species Facts

Science Name: Micropterus dolomieu
Other Names: Bronzeback, brown bass, black bass, Oswego bass, green trout and redeye
Ideal Temp: 60 to 70
World Record: 10 lbs. 14 ounces, Tn.
Environment: streams, rivers, lakes
Techniques: Casting, live baiting
Description

Sometimes called a “bronzeback” for its brassy brown hue, the smallmouth is one of the strongest fish for its weight. Many anglers who hook a 2-pounder will swear it’s twice that big until the fish is in the net. Smallmouth are native to the Mississippi River watershed.

Smallmouth bass look similar to their close cousin, the largemouth. Often they are found in the same waters. To tell the two apart, look at the closed mouth. If it extends only to the middle of the eye, it’s a smallmouth. If it goes way beyond the back of the eye, the fish is a largemouth.

In the spring bass disperse to their spawning areas in gravelly shallows of lakes or large, gentle eddies in streams. The male builds the nest. The female lays 2,000 to 10,000 eggs and then heads for deep water. The male remains on the nest two weeks or more, guarding eggs and fry.

As with the largemouth, research on smallmouth has shown no relationship between the number of spawning fish and the success of the spawn. The strength of the year class depends solely on water conditions - in particular, the absence of a sudden cold snap or muddy floodwaters that can kill eggs and fry.

Spawning
Smallmouth bass spawn mostly from the middle of May through the end of June when water temperature exceeds 15.5° C (about 60° F). We have records of spawning as late as early August, however. The male selects the spawning site and sweeps out a nest up to 1 m (3 ft) in diameter with his tail. The nest normally ends up in a gravel bed, often next to a log, boulder, or other obstruction in 1-3m (about 3-10 ft) of water. Once the nest is built, the male defends it aggressively from both male and female smallmouth. A female that wants to spawn has to be persistent. She may be helped somewhat by her change in appearance. The dark mottling on her body becomes more noticeable as the background color fades, and this may help communicate to the male that the female is ready. Once in the nest, both fish lay beside each other and release their eggs and sperm. This spawning act can be repeated every 30 seconds or so for up to 2 hours. When the female is done laying the eggs, she leaves the nest and the male stays behind to protect the eggs from predators. Both males and females usually spawn with more than one partner. A single female may lay 2,000-14,000 eggs, depending on her size.

The eggs (embryos actually) hatch in about one week and the free-living embryos continue to develop in the nest for about one more week. After that, they swim up into the water column and begin to feed. In lakes, the male smallmouth may continue to protect the larvae for a short time even after they swim up.

Habitat
Found in manmade or natural lakes, smallmouth prefer clear, mid-depth water. They seldom appear in small ponds or lakes that run less than 25 feet deep. Smallmouth also appear in clean, moderate-running rivers and streams.

Feeding Habits
Smallmouth larvae eat copepods, waterfleas, and other small zooplankton (small floating animals). At about 35 mm (1.5 in) they begin to include aquatic insect larvae and some small fish. At about 80 mm (3 in), they add crayfish to the menu. From 1 year old on, smallmouth bass eat mostly fish (darters, minnows, yellow perch, sunfishes, and others) and crayfish.

Table Quality
Smallmouth bass will not have the grassy taste that occaisionally appears in largemouth bass. Their meat is white, flaky, and has an excellent flavor.

Tips for Fishing

Flyfishing, baitcasting, and spincasting with a variety of lures are all popular ways of taking smallmouth bass. Live baits such as hellgrammites, soft craws, and minnows are also popular. May and June are the most productive months for smallmouth fishing.