Yellow Bass
Yellow Bass (Morone mississippiensis) are small temperate bass native to the Mississippi River system, found throughout Louisiana's freshwater systems.
Scientific Name: Morone mississippiensis
- These distinctive fish are easily identified by their golden-yellow coloration with 5-7 dark horizontal stripes, the lower two or three of which are characteristically broken or interrupted.
- They typically measure 6-12 inches long and weigh under a pound, with most averaging around 8-11 ounces.
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 Louisiana's freshwater systems and various other lakes and rivers throughout the state.
Key Locations
- Mississippi River backwaters, Red River system, Atchafalaya Basin, Toledo Bend Reservoir (shared with Texas), Caddo Lake, Caney Lake, Lake D'Arbonne, Lake Pontchartrain, Red River pools between Shreveport and Simmesport.
Specific Spots
- Target deeper water structures like submerged timber, bridge pilings, wing dams, and drop-offs along the Mississippi River backwaters and major reservoir systems.
- Prefer deeper water habitats for most of the year, typically found in 6-20 feet of water around submerged structure, but move to shallow flats during spawning season in spring.
- In Lake Pontchartrain and other brackish systems, focus on areas where freshwater enters.
- The lock and dam structures in Red River pools hold good populations.
Yellow Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Yellow Bass in Louisiana?
1/32 to 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with small soft plastics like curly-tail grubs, small minnow imitations, or crappie tubes in green, brown, chartreuse, and red colors. Small inline spinners, jigging spoons, and blade baits work well for covering water and locating schools.
When is the best time to fish for Yellow Bass in Louisiana?
Yellow Bass fishing in Louisiana is most productive during spring (March-June) and fall (September-November) when fish are actively feeding. During spawning season in May, avoid targeting bedding fish and focus on post-spawn periods when they resume aggressive feeding.
How do you catch Yellow Bass in Louisiana?
The most effective technique is vertical jigging with drop shot rigs using 1/32 to 1/8 ounce jigs. Use small crankbaits and spoons when trolling to locate schools, then switch to vertical jigging once fish are found.
What do Yellow Bass eat?
These fish are primarily planktivorous, feeding heavily on copepods, cladocerans, and other zooplankton, while also consuming aquatic insects like dipterans and chironomids. Larger specimens may take small fish, particularly young-of-year gizzard shad.
Where do Yellow Bass live in Louisiana?
Found throughout Louisiana's freshwater systems and various other lakes and rivers throughout the state.
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 Yellow Bass.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Yellow Bass water
Pick Yellow Bass and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 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.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Yellow Bass
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Yellow Bass are.
Open the map, filter by Yellow Bass, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
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.
Louisiana licenses and regulations
Explore nearby waters
Explore Louisiana 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.