Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu) commonly known as smallmouth, bronzeback, brown bass, brownie, smallies, bronze bass, and bareback bass. Is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) belonging to the order of Perciformes. This warm-water fish was introduced into many areas of Northwestern Ontario and is native to the upper and middle Mississippi River Basin, the Saint Lawrence River-Great Lakes system, and up into the Hudson Bay Basin.

The smallmouth bass is generally brown, appearing sometimes as black or green (seldom yellow) with red eyes, and dark brown vertical bands, rather than a horizontal band along the side. There are 13–15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The upper jaw of smallmouth bass extends to the middle of the eye. The smallmouth's coloration and hue may vary according to environmental variables such as water clarity or diet. Their habitat plays a significant role in their color, weight, and shape. River water smallmouth that live in dark water tend to be rather torpedo-shaped and very dark brown to be more efficient for feeding. Lakeside smallmouth bass, however, that live in sandy areas, tend to be a light yellow-brown and are more oval-shaped.

Smallmouth Bass males are generally smaller than females. The males tend to range around 2 pounds while the females can range from 3 – 6 pounds. Their average sizes can differ, depending on where they are found. Those found in southern waters tend to be larger due to the longer summers which allow them to eat and grown for a longer period of time. However, the ones found in northern waters tend to be heavier in weight with no changes to its length. They tend to have an average length of 10 – 20 inches (25 – 50 cm) with an average weight of 1 to 3.5 pounds (0.5 – 1.6 kgs) in Ontario. The largest Smallmouth Bass caught in Ontario weighed in at 9.8 pounds (4.5 kgs). The world record holder was caught in 1955 on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee in the United States weighting in at a whopping 11 lbs. 15 oz and a length of 27 inches. Smallie tend to have an average lifespan of 10 – 12 years.

Smallmouth Bass is found in clearer water than the Largemouth, especially streams, rivers, and the rocky areas and stumps and sandy bottoms of lakes and reservoirs. The Smallmouth prefers cooler water temperatures than its cousin the Largemouth Bass and may be found in both still and running water. Because it is intolerant of pollution, the Smallmouth Bass is a good natural indicator of a healthy environment, though it can better adjust to changes in water condition than most Trout species. Carnivorous, its diet comprises crayfish, insects, and smaller fish, while the larvae feed on various zooplankton. When the weather gets colder, and the water temperature drops below 15 C (60 F), Smallmouth will often migrate in search of deeper pools in which they enter a semi-hibernation state, moving sluggishly and feeding very little until the warm season returns. The migration patterns of Smallmouth have been tracked and it is not unusual for a Smallmouth to travel 12 miles (19.3 kms) in a single day in a stream, creek or river. The overall migration can exceed 60 miles (96.5 kms).

Unlike most other freshwater fish, the smallmouth has complex reproductive and parental behaviours. Spawning is primarily trigger by increasing water temperature and occurs mostly in May and June but can extend from mid-April to July depending on latitude. The further north, the later the spawn. The males build a nest and entice a female to join him and aggressively defend his territory from other competing males. Once the eggs are fertilized the male will protect the eggs and fan the eggs to prevent sedimentation from suffocating the eggs. The male is biologically programmed to attack and drive away any intruder and won’t feed while on guard ensuring that he doesn’t accidently eat his offspring. Bass reproductive success is entirely dependent on the continuous presence of the male. Without his care and protection, the young will simply not survive. If harvesting the guarding male, the nest becomes abandoned, and exposed to predation. Once a nest is abandoned, no other male will take over the task of protecting and fanning the eggs. The prime spawners are often the larger, older members of the population and there’s simply no biological benefit to harvesting bass during this critical period even to catch and release.

Smallmouth bass are very popular game fish, frequently sought by anglers using conventional spinning and bait casting gear, as well as fly fishing tackle. The Smallmouth Bass is potentially the toughest fighting freshwater fish in North America and is commonly the targeted species in many freshwater fishing tournaments. In addition to wild populations, the Smallmouth Bass is stocked in cool rivers and lakes throughout Canada and the United States. In shallow streams, it is a wary fish, though usually not to the extent of most Trout. The Smallmouth is highly regarded for its topwater fighting ability when hooked – old fishing journals referred to the Smallmouth Bass as "ounce for ounce and pound for pound the gamest fish that swims". Smallmouth Bass are not usually taken for the table, but rather are caught and released by most anglers. However, smaller specimens in cooler water often have higher quality filets of white, firm flesh when cooked.

The key spots to find Smallmouth Bass tends to be in places where a deep-water sanctuary and a shallower water food shelf come together. Look for weed beds that taper quickly into deep water or rapidly sloping shoreline breaks and sunken islands surrounded by deeper water are some of the common place’s Smallmouth Bass can be found.

The best time to fish for Smallmouth is in early morning or late evening. Look near deep underwater points, rocky shoals or submerged islands and weed edges. When the fish aren’t biting, change your lure and your tactic. Use a light to medium action spinning rod with 6 – 10 pd test.

According to many, Smallmouth typically put up a better, more exciting fight than any other black bass. Rods are usually of ultralight to medium-heavy action. They may also be caught with a fly rod using a dry or wet artificial fly, nymphs, streamers, or imitations of larger aquatic creatures, such as hellgrammites, crawfish, or leeches. Floating topwater popper fly patterns and buzz baits are also popular for Smallmouth fishing. For river fishing, spinning tackle or fly tackle has been the most popular angling tools for Smallmouth for many years. Smallmouth can be successfully caught on a wide range of natural and artificial baits or lures, including crankbaits, hair jigs, plastic jerkbaits, artificial worms, spinnerbaits, and all types of soft plastic lures including twister tails, curly tail grubs, tubes with lead head jibs or crayfish imitations. Other common baits when fishing for Smallmouth Bass are jigs, topwater plugs and small deep diving plugs. Best live bait is leeches, minnows and crayfish. Surface lures are best when used in the early morning and evening. Spinning reels or baitcasting reels with line strengths of 6 to 15 pounds are typically utilized.

Angling tips for fishing Smallmouth Bass

When fishing for Smallmouth bass in the Fall there are two most popular ways to target which are jigging and drop-shooting. Scented soft plastics are most popular dressings with curl-tail grubs and crayfish imitations being among the most productive.

For most of Ontario Bass season opens the 4th Saturday in June, but here in Zone 4 where Nutt’s Country Cabins is located you can fish for Smallmouth Bass all year long. Please see size limits that change during the year on www.ontario.ca/fishing