Description
Non-native. Introduced in 1960. Body silver-white, 4 to 7 dark horizontal
lines; Lines below lateral line often faint and broken. Dorsal fins
are distinctly separate, unlike the yellow bass, which are joined at
the base. 2nd anal spine distinctly shorter than the 3rd. Lower jaw
protrudes beyond upper jaw; Generally a single patch of teeth at base
of tongue. Length: 8 to19 inches. Weight: 5 ounces to 4 pounds.
Location and
Habitat
Found only in Imperial Reservoir on the Colorado River and Lake Pleasant.
Prefer clear, open waters. Spawn in large groups, in April or May, generally
over rocky or rip-rap type areas.
Food
Main diet is threadfin shad. Hungry white bass will often pursue schools
of shad, causing the shad to jump and "boil" the surface of the
water in their frantic efforts to escape.
Angling
Effective lures are spinners, spoons, jigs and shad type crank baits. During
a feeding frenzy, they will strike practically any shad imitating lure
tossed into their midst.
Table
Quality
The meat is white, firm, flaky and good eating.
