Fish · GBIF taxon 5211250
Micropterus dolomieu
micropterus dolomieuAlso known as Bronzeback, Brown Bass, Smallie, Redeye Bass
Renowned for their exceptional fighting spirit, smallmouth bass inhabit clear, cool streams, rivers, and rocky lakes across North America. Males construct shallow gravel nests in spring, fanning the eggs vigilantly and defending newborn fry against voracious predators. Their golden-bronze coloration and vertical dark bars provide effective camouflage among submerged boulders and fallen timber where they ambush prey.
FreshwaterPredatoryGame Fish
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crayfish
- Minnows
- Mayfly Nymphs
Predators
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
- Northern Pike
ThreatsHabitat degradation, water pollution, damming, and rising water temperatures
HabitatsCool clear streams, rocky rivers, gravelly lakes, and reservoirs
Life span10 to 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
- Sharp spiny dorsal fins can puncture skin; hold gently behind the gills when handling.
Responsible observation
- Spine Safety: Flatten the spiny dorsal fin back toward the tail before gripping the fish.
- Horizontal Support: Support heavy fish with both hands under the belly to protect the jaw.
- Observation Timing: Look for active feeding along rocky drop-offs during dawn and dusk.
Co-habitant (c) Quinn, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Quinn · cc-by
Prey no rights reserved, uploaded by Kent P. McFarland · cc0
Close Relative (c) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) · cc-by
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