Fish · GBIF taxon 5211250
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieuAlso known as Bronzeback, Brown Bass, Smallie, Bareback Bass
Smallmouth bass are fierce predatory fish native to clear, rocky rivers and cool lakes across eastern North America. Renowned among anglers for their exceptional strength and leaping ability when hooked, they maintain dark vertical bars along golden-brown flanks and a jawline that never extends past the eye. Males construct shallow gravel nests in late spring, actively fanning and defending the eggs and newly hatched fry against all invaders.
FreshwaterPredatoryGame Fish
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crayfish
- Minnows
- Aquatic Insects
Predators
- Northern Pike
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
ThreatsWater pollution, siltation, climate warming
HabitatsClear streams, rocky rivers, cool lakes, clear reservoirs
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPerciformes
- FamilyCentrarchidae
- GenusMicropterus
- SpeciesMicropterus dolomieu
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look for them around submerged boulders, drop-offs, and fallen timber in clear water.
- Handling: Support caught fish horizontally while keeping fingers clear of sharp dorsal spines.
- Spawning Care: Minimize targeted fishing during late spring to avoid disrupting nest-guarding males.
Primary Prey no rights reserved, uploaded by Kent P. McFarland · cc0
Close Relative (c) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Co-occurring Relative (c) Quinn, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Quinn · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.