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Smallmouth Bass
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(Micropterus dolomieu) |
The smallmouth can easily be distinguished from its cousin, the Largemouth Bass, by its jaw bone, which extends to about the middle of the eye. The largemouth’s jaw will extend well beyond the eye. The coloration is also different, as smallmouth are a brownish tint, while the largemouth is primarily greenish in color.Coloring will vary from brown and golden brown to olive green on the back, which fades to gold on the sides and white on the belly, although the dominant colors will often extend all the way down the belly. Younger smallmouth have more distinct vertical bars or rows of spots on their sides, and the tail fin is often orange at the base with black and white outer edges. Smallmouth bass prefer clear, still waters and seek out areas with gravel, rubble, or rocky bottoms. They live in moderate size, gentle streams that offer deep pools and plenty of shade, or in fairly deep, clear lakes and reservoirs with rocky bluffs, steep drop-offs and large shoals. Spawning smallmouth bass begin spring time or early summer depending on latitude. Spawning movements will begin when water temperatures rise to between 60 and 65 F. Males build the nests in water anywhere from 1 to 12 feet deep depending on water clarity and available habitat.
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