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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are among Kentucky's most prized gamefish, known for their exceptional fighting ability. Smallmouth populations are robust throughout the eastern two-thirds of Kentucky, thriving in upland streams, rivers, and several major reservoirs.

Scientific Name: Micropterus dolomieu

Physical Characteristics:
  • Bronze-colored bodies with dark vertical bars.
  • Adults typically average 10-12 inches and 2-3 pounds.
  • Distinguished from largemouths by their smaller mouths that don't extend past the eye, continuous dorsal fins.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Eastern two-thirds of Kentucky, thriving in upland streams, rivers, and several major reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, Laurel River Lake, Kentucky Lake, and Lake Barkley.
  • Red River in southern Kentucky, upper Kentucky River tributaries, Elkhorn Creek, South Fork Licking River, Green River tributaries, and the upper Levisa Fork.
  • Kentucky/Barkley lakes.

Specific Spots

  • Cool, clear flowing pools over rocky bottoms in streams, often moving to riffle bases to feed.
  • In reservoirs they prefer rocky shores, ledges, and submerged cover.
  • Target rocky points, ledges, current breaks, and the downstream sides of structure.
  • On reservoirs, focus on main lake points, creek channel ledges, and rocky structure.
  • Summer fishing around wood and rock.

Smallmouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

1/16 to 1/8-ounce hair jigs in blue, chartreuse, grey, white combinations. 3-inch black or brown curly-tailed grubs and 4-inch finesse worms on 1/8-ounce leadheads. Topwater lures, small jerkbaits, Ned rigs, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and bottom baits.

What flies work for Smallmouth Bass in Kentucky?

Double-barrel poppers, Boogle bullets and poppers in chartreuse, Dave Whitlock's hair frogs, swimming frogs, streamers like Kelly Galloup's mini bangtail, Murdich minnows, Swimming Jimmys, and Dave Whitlock's Near Nuff Crayfish in orange/brown.

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

Prime smallmouth fishing occurs from mid-October through late spring, with peak action in spring (March-May) and fall when water temperatures are in the 50s-60s. Winter fishing can be excellent from February through early spring.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in Kentucky?

Float-and-fly technique - suspend jigs 8-12 feet deep under pear-shaped bobbers. Summer fishing is best at dawn, dusk, or night. Spring patterns include targeting current-holding structure.

What do Smallmouth Bass eat?

Diet consists primarily of crayfish (often 60-90% when abundant), along with threadfin shad, alewives, insects, sculpins, minnows, and various aquatic invertebrates.

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