General Info:

Micropterus dolomieui - Smallmouth Bass

Smallies are distinguished from their largemouth cousins by the vertical bars along their sides. The jaw of the bronzer does not extend past the eye as it does on the largemouth. Generally speaking, smallmouths do not get as big as largemouths, but are considered to be more fierce fighters. Even a small bronzer can put up a tremendous fight. Coloration on smallies can range from orange-brown to green-black. They have short, broad tails that are excellent for the bursts of speed they use to ambush prey. Smallmouths belong to the sunfish family.

(Click HERE to see a smallie image vs. a largemouth image.)

Smallmouths prefer cool, clean, clear water and are not fond of muddy or dirty water systems. They like temperatures in the 65° - 72°F range and moderate current (in rivers) and are usually found in deeper water than largemouths (in lakes). The lethal water temperature for smallmouths has been calculated to be about 95°F. Cloudy days are great for smallie fishing and sunny days, by contrast, can make catching them more difficult. Smallies are skittish on sunny days in clear water.

Smallmouth bass tend to spawn in the same spot year after year and will spend much of their lives in the same area. They like water temperatures in the 56° - 64°F range for spawning.

Lifespan:

Smallmouths have an average life expectancy of about 18 years. Only a few ever live half that long, however. Smallmouth produce far more young each year than a river or stream can support. The majority of young smallies die in the first year.
It takes roughly 5-6 years for a smallmouth to reach 12-14" and 9-12 years to reach a length of 18". Size is based on the amount of food available and how much the fish eats. Under less than desirable conditions it takes several years for smallies to attain any great size.

Feeding Habits:

Smallies change their diet preferences from time to time during different parts of the year depending on prey availability. The diet of smallies can consist of sculpin, crayfish, waterdogs, hellgrammites, sunfish, shiners, smelt, perch, shad, frogs, and mayflies. This is a general look at some of the favorites:

• Spring - minnows and shiners
• Summer - crayfish, the smallies number one choice.
• Late Season - as crayfish numbers are reduced, minnows become more prominent again.
• During these periods are the various insect hatches that smallies also rely on. One of the most important is the Dobson fly larva...also known as the hellgrammite.
• Other - smallmouths have also been known to eat mice, frogs, small snakes, their own young, and other fish species.