Skip to main content

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass are a non-native species introduced to Arizona in 1921, originally from the upper Mississippi River basin. They are excellent indicators of healthy aquatic environments due to their intolerance of pollution.

Scientific Name: Micropterus dolomieu

Physical Characteristics:
  • Bronze to brownish-colored bass feature dark vertical bars on their sides and distinctive red or brown eyes, with the upper jaw not extending beyond the rear margin of the eye.
  • They typically range 12-22 inches in length and weigh 8 ounces to 7 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Distributed throughout the Colorado River system, Verde River system, and Salt River Basin below 2,200 meters elevation.

Key Locations

  • Lake Mohave (experiencing a population explosion), Lake Havasu (excellent sight fishing opportunities), Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Roosevelt Lake, and Willow Springs Lake, along with the Colorado River corridor.
  • Verde River system.

Specific Spots

  • Fish around rocky points, shorelines, canyon areas, submerged structure, and hard-bottom areas.
  • Thriving in clear, rocky areas with hard bottoms and current.
  • Focus on depths of 10-15 feet when fish pull deeper.

Smallmouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Smallmouth Bass in Arizona?

Topwater presentations like poppers and walking baits during morning and late afternoon, lipless crankbaits, white crappie jigs, creature baits during midday, jerkbaits, swimbaits, drop shots with straight-tail worms, and Ned rigs are productive year-round.

When is the best time to fish for Smallmouth Bass in Arizona?

Best fishing from late spring through fall. Spawn from March through May when water temperatures reach 15-18°C. Pre-spawn period in March when bass are preparing beds is good for sight fishing.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in Arizona?

Topwater presentations during morning and late afternoon, switching to other techniques during midday. Jerkbaits with extremely long pauses (up to a minute) work exceptionally well in cooler water. Sight fishing in clear water conditions.

What do Smallmouth Bass eat?

Opportunistic predators feeding primarily on crayfish (a specially adapted diet), baitfish including bluegills, perch, and shad, aquatic and terrestrial insects like mayflies and beetles, and occasionally frogs, tadpoles, and small mammals.

Where do Smallmouth Bass live in Arizona?

Distributed throughout the Colorado River system, Verde River system, and Salt River Basin below 2,200 meters elevation.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Smallmouth Bass.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Smallmouth Bass water

    Pick Smallmouth Bass and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Smallmouth Bass

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Smallmouth Bass are.

Open the map, filter by Smallmouth Bass, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Arizona licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Arizona waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.