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Smallmouth Bass
 
Additional Sport Fish Species pages
- Apache Trout
- Cutthroat Trout
- Smallmouth Bass
- Arctic Grayling
- Desert Sucker
- Striped Bass
- Bigmouth Buffalo
- Flathead Catfish
- Tilapia
- Black Bullhead
- Green Sunfish
- Walleye
- Black Crappie
- Largemouth Bass
- White Bass
- Bluegill
- Northern Pike
- White Crappie
- Brook Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Yellow Bass
- Brown Trout
- Redear Sunfish
- Yellow Bullhead
- Channel Catfish
- Roundtail Chub
- Yellow Perch
 
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass : (Micropterus dolomieui)
 
Description
Non-native. Introduced in 1921. Smallmouth bass most often are bronze to brownish green in color, with dark vertical bars on sides. In contrast to the Largemouth bass, the upper jaw does not extend beyond rear margin of eye. Eye reddish in color. Shallow notch in dorsal fin. Soft dorsal fin has 13 to 15 rays. Length: 12 to 22 inches. Weight 8 ounces to 7 pounds.

Location and Habitat
They are abundant in the Verde River, Black River, Apache Lake and to some degree in Roosevelt Reservoir and Lake Powell. They prefer rocky habitats in streams and lakes with clear waters.

Food
Shad and crayfish are consumed in lakes; and crayfish and minnows in streams. In streams, smallmouth can be very aggressive when hellgrammites and terrestrial insects are available.

Angling
Effective lures for smallmouth, are those that resemble minnows, plastic worms and streamer flies. Live baits include minnows, hellgrammites and crayfish. One of the best smallmouth fisheries in the State is the Black River.

Table Quality
The meat is similar to largemouth bass, mild tasting, white, flaky and low in oil content.
 
Related AZGFD Info
- Watercraft
- Been Fishing?
- Sport Fishing Education
- Economic Impact
- Sign up for AZGFD eNews
 
Downloads [More]
- New! 2008 Urban Fishing Regulations [PDF, 2.3mb]
- 2007-2008 Fishing Regulations [PDF, 4.7mb]
- 2007 & 2008 Amphibian and Reptile Regulations [PDF, 170kb]
- Arizona Residency Requirements
[PDF, 202kb]
NOTE: The above files are PDF's and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
 
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