About Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass prefer large lakes with cool clear water, depths of over 30 feet and areas of gravel and rocky bottom with little aquatic plant life. River habitats preferred have moderate currents, cool water, with rock and gravel bottoms.
Smallmouth bass are found throughout California and Oregon in rivers at elevations between 300 to 3000 feet. The most notable are the large tributaries of the Sacramento River, and the Trinity River in California and the Umpqua, considered world class, in Oregon. They will be most plentiful near the upstream end of any lake they inhabit.
Smallmouth feed mostly on fish and crawdads but terrestrial and aquatic insects can make up an important segment of their diet. The average smallmouth bass will weigh 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and reach maturity at 3 to 4 years of age.
Spawning begins in spring when the water temperature nears 60 degrees F. Nest sites are usually in 1 to 3 feet of water with sand gravel or rocky bottom protected from the current by a large rock downed tree or a debris pile. The male hollows a nest about 6" deep and 2' in diameter with his tail. When a female approaches he attempts to lead her to the nest site and gently bumps and bites at her side in a courtship ritual. They settle into the nest and discharge their eggs and milt simultaneously. The female may or may not lay all her eggs in one nest. The male guards the nest until the eggs hatch. The fry subsist for several days on the yolk sack. At which time the male herds them around protecting the school. The male does not eat during this period which may last over a month. At this time the fry are to energetic to herd and they scatter.
Fishing Methods: Smallmouth bass in lakes will eat most of the same thing largemouth do except in smaller sizes. It is important to take into consideration that smallmouth like deeper, clearer, cooler waters than largemouth, so your presentation must be adjusted for those conditions. Look near rocky points or drop-offs near aquatic vegetation.
For river fishing you will find smallmouth near obstructions to the current, deeper slots in riffles, at the head of pools and in the swifter water just below pools. Look for them at the mouth of tributaries or in rocky shallows adjacent to the main river channel.
Bucktail streamers, spinners, flies, spoons and jigs as well as live bait such as minnows, small crawfish, nightcrawlers and hellgramites will all take smallmouth. In the fall surface plugs will work.
