GENERAL INFORMATION |
Common Name: |
Smallmouth Bass |
Scientific Name: |
Micropterus dolomieu |
Diet: |
Baitfish, amphibians, crayfish, insects, and other invertebrates |
Habitat: |
Clear, rocky areas of lakes, reservoirs, and rivers with moderate temperature |
Spawn: |
Late Spring and early Summer over nests dug by males. The male usually guards the eggs, which
hatch in three to ten days. The male will then guard the fry for up to one month. |
Distribution: |
Warm waters statewide (tolerates cooler waters than Largemouth) |
Origin: |
Central and eastern North America |
Characteristics: |
Fish are normally dark olive to brown on the top portion of the body and head, however color
can vary with habitat. Sides and belly are lighter and yellowish. There are 8 to 15 dark vertical
bars on the sides (these are absent in Largemouth). Dorsal fin has 10 spines and is joined to the
soft dorsal fin. The anal fin has three spines. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper
jaw. The snout is long and bluntly pointed. |
