Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
The hardest fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound — an acrobatic, challenging target
📅 When to Fish
Habitat
Clear, cool rivers and lakes with gravel, rock, and sand. Unlike largemouth, they avoid heavy vegetation. Look for them around boulders, current seams, and rocky points.
Best Season
Late spring through early summer on beds, and fall pre-spawn feeding. Summer means deep water.
Best Times
Early morning and evening. On rivers, fish rises and runs during active feeding windows.
Record
11 lbs 15 oz
Ideal Water Temp
55–70°F
Top Lures & Baits
- •Tube jig (smoke or green pumpkin)
- •Drop shot with small finesse worm
- •Surface poppers (summer mornings)
- •Ned rig
- •Inline spinners in rivers
🔍 Identification
Bronze-brown coloring with dark lateral blotching. Mouth does NOT extend past eye (vs. largemouth). Often has reddish eye. Prefers cooler, clearer water than largemouth.
🍽️ Eating Quality
Good — white, firm flesh. Similar to largemouth but often more flavorful. Frequently released by anglers.
📍 Where to Find It
🎣 Beginner Tip
Find a river with clear water and rocky bottom. Cast a tube jig upstream and let it drift and bounce along the bottom back toward you. When it stops, set the hook — smallmouth eat it on the fall.