Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Wetland
Active Seasons: Spring, Summer
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: 6-14 years

One of the world’s most popular game fish that is stocked in rivers and lakes throughout the U.S. The Smallmouth Bass is marked by a series of dark stripes on the sides and an upper jaw that does not extend past the eye. The maximum recorded weight of a Smallmouth Bass is 12 lbs. It is found only in clear water and is a good indicator of a healthy environment due to its intolerance of any type of pollution. The Smallmouth Bass is typically more challenging to catch and more delicately flavored than its bigger cousin the Largemouth Bass, making it well worth the effort of the tremendously strong fight that it puts up.

Diet

Adults consume crayfish, amphibians, insects, and other fish

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Centrarchiformes
Family: Centrarchidae
Genus: Micropterus
Species: Micropterus dolomieu

Scientific Name

Micropterus dolomieu
Breeding Season
March-May when temps are over 10 degrees celsius
Lifespan
6-14 years

Behavior

Smallmouth bass, like other black basses, may congregate around structural elements such as fallen logs or other large debris

Active Seasons

Spring Summer

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Wetland

Geographic Distribution

Widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains, from the Hudson Bay basin in Canada to northeastern Mexico.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

Contribute Your Observations

Have you spotted this species? Your observations help us track populations and understand behavior patterns.

Submit an Observation