Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, 1802

About Smallmouth bass fishing

The smallmouth bass is a freshwater game fish belonging to the sunfish family Centrarchidae. It features a muscular, streamlined fusiform body with golden-olive to dark brown sides marked by vertical darker bars, red or brown eyes, and a protruding jaw that does not extend past the eye margin. Growing up to 69 cm in maximum length and 5.41 kg, this benthopelagic species inhabits clear, cool lakes, reservoirs, and flowing river pools with rocky or gravel bottoms between 1 and 7 metres deep. As an active visual predator, it feeds primarily on crayfish, small fish, and aquatic insects. Adults construct shallow gravel nests for spawning during spring, after which males fiercely guard the eggs. Anglers highly prize this species for its acrobatic fights and powerful runs in current.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    8 cm TL

  • Habitat

    Freshwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

  • Also known as

    Bass, Black bass, Bronzeback, Brown bass, Brown trout, Brownie

Smallmouth bass

Short Upper Jaw

Upper jaw does not extend past the back of the eye, identifying smallmouth bass.

Vertical Dark Bars

Vertical dark bars along the sides distinguish it from largemouth bass.

Horizontal Cheek Stripes

Dark horizontal stripes radiating backward from the eye mark species features.

Smallmouth bass fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    8 cm TL (max 69 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    1 kg (max 5.4 kg )

  • Depth

    1–7 m

  • Longevity

    26 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Vulnerability score

    49.1

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Smallmouth bass

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Smallmouth bass

Tips for catching Smallmouth bass

Target smallmouth bass around rocky points, gravel bars, and deep river runs where current breaks offer ambush points. Since they feed primarily by sight during daylight, successful presentations rely on imitating fleeing crayfish or small baitfish near the bottom structure. Use spinning gear with soft plastic tubes, paddle-tail swimbaits, or diving crankbaits hopped slowly across rocky shelves. Fly fishers achieve great success by stripping weighted streamer patterns or crawfish imitations along the substrate. Focus efforts during the warmer months from late spring through early autumn, concentrating on dawn and dusk periods when these fish move into shallower water to feed actively.

Other names for Smallmouth bass

Local and alternate names anglers use for Smallmouth bass.

  • Gold bass
  • Brown trout
  • Brownie
  • Brown bass
  • Bronzeback
  • Black bass
  • Green bass
  • Smallmouth bass
  • Jumper
  • Smallie
  • Trout bass
  • Streaked-cheek river bass
  • Smallmouth black bass
  • Small-mouth black bass
  • Northern smallmouth bass
  • Swago bass
  • Redeye
  • White trout

Best equipment to catch Smallmouth bass

Compare fishing methods for Smallmouth bass — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 1 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Smallmouth bass

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Smallmouth bass migrates — Potamodromous

Migrates within rivers and lakes only. Fish upstream runs and seasonal lake movements, not saltwater.

How Smallmouth bass migrates — Potamodromous 1. Eggs: Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows. 2. Larvae: Fry drift or swim down to slower water. 3. Adults: Feed in the main river or lake. 4. Spawners: Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.
Upstream Main river or lake

1 Eggs

Upstream

Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows.

2 Larvae

→ Main river or lake

Fry drift or swim down to slower water.

3 Adults

Main river or lake

Feed in the main river or lake.

4 Spawners

→ Upstream

Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.

The whole cycle stays in fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Smallmouth bass

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk

  • Feeds over

    Hard bottom

  • Main prey

    Baitfish · Bottom prey

Prey and predators of Smallmouth bass

Prey is what Smallmouth bass eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Where Smallmouth bass lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Freshwater
Depth zone
1–7 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Smallmouth bass

Mapped fishing spots where Smallmouth bass is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Ruisseau de Braquemart

NordHauts-de-FranceFrance