Spotted Bass
Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus) in Louisiana are native members of the black bass family, making them less aggressive than largemouth bass but excellent fighters once hooked.
Scientific Name: Micropterus punctulatus
- Distinguished by their olive green backs with darker blotches and a characteristic single row of dark, almost black blotches along the midline.
- Unlike largemouth bass, their mouths don't extend beyond the eye and they have a rough tooth patch on their tongue.
- In Louisiana, spotted bass typically weigh 5 pounds or less, though they can reach close to 10 pounds.
Fishing in Louisiana
Red River
Lake Chicot
Mississippi River
Ouachita River
Kincaid Reservoir
Indian Creek Reservoir
Lake Buhlow
Cotile Lake
Lake Iatt
Calcasieu River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found throughout the Ohio River Basin and across the southeastern United States, inhabiting smaller waterbodies with medium water flow and gravel or rock bottoms.
- In Louisiana's waters, spotted bass prefer upstream habitats with cover such as logs or aquatic vegetation, particularly in areas with more current than largemouth bass typically inhabit.
Key Locations
- Toledo Bend Reservoir (where the lake record is 3.4 pounds), various creeks in Vernon Parish including Sixmile Creek, Whiskey Chitto, Dr.ake's Creek, and Bundick Creek, upper reaches of rivers like the Calcasieu River system.
Specific Spots
- Target depths of 15-30 feet around offshore humps, channel swings, deep brush piles, and main lake points.
- Target rocky banks, bluff ends, standing timber on main lake points, and the up-current side of current breaks where spotted bass position to intercept prey.
- In Louisiana's creek systems work near logs, vegetation, and gravel bars.
Spotted Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Bass in Louisiana?
Jigging spoons, finesse worms, craw trailers, soft plastics, spinnerbaits with gold size 3 safety-pin spinners and 1/8-ounce jig heads paired with 2-inch black over pearl soft plastics, Tiny Torpedo topwater baits in shad colors, green pumpkin finesse worms. Adding chartreuse to baits can be a real deal closer.
When is the best time to fish for Spotted Bass in Louisiana?
Spring through fall with peak activity in May and June when water temperatures reach 70+ degrees and bass are in post-spawn feeding mode. December and January also provide excellent opportunities as spotted bass group up well on offshore structures during winter months.
How do you catch Spotted Bass in Louisiana?
Key techniques include jigging spoons (particularly effective for beginners), dropshot rigs with finesse worms using foot-long leaders, football head jigs with craw trailers, Carolina-rigged soft plastics with 2-foot leaders, and shaky head jigs with green pumpkin finesse worms.
What do Spotted Bass eat?
Ambush predators feeding on a wide variety of prey including fish, crawfish, frogs, and insects.
Where do Spotted Bass live in Louisiana?
Found throughout the Ohio River Basin and across the southeastern United States, inhabiting smaller waterbodies with medium water flow and gravel or rock bottoms.
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