Skip to main content

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass are not native to Maine but were introduced in the late 1800s (1868-1881) and have since become the state's second most popular freshwater gamefish.

These bronze-colored fighters are distinguished from largemouth bass by their smaller mouths (upper jaw doesn't extend past the rear of the eye), vertical rather than horizontal stripes, and continuous dorsal fin.

Scientific Name: Micropterus dolomieu

Physical Characteristics:
  • Bronze-colored fighters distinguished from largemouth bass by their smaller mouths (upper jaw doesn't extend past the rear of the eye), vertical rather than horizontal stripes, and continuous dorsal fin.
  • Most bass waters produce fish weighing 2-3 pounds, with few exceeding 4 pounds and bass over 5 pounds being rare.
  • The state record is 8 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Smallmouth prefer cooler, clearer waters with rocky structure and are found throughout southern, central, and eastern Maine in 613 lakes and ponds covering over 500,000 acres.

Key Locations

  • Penobscot River system, Belgrade Lakes, Sebago Lake region, East Grand Lake, Schoodic Lake, Androscoggin River, Kennebec River, St.
  • Croix River, Mattawamkeag River.
  • The Penobscot River offers exceptional numbers fishing with 50+ fish days possible, particularly the stretch between Howland and Old Town.

Specific Spots

  • Target rocky shorelines, drop-offs, islands, submerged structure, current seams, and eddies.
  • Focus on the 5-15 foot depth range around rocky structure in spring/summer, moving deeper as water cools.

Smallmouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

White swimbaits, jerkbaits (chartreuse Rapala is particularly effective), white flukes, swimbaits on 1/4-3/8 oz jigheads, jerkbaits in perch patterns for largemouth and smelt patterns for smallmouth, Ned rigs, drop shot rigs with 6-inch worms, poppers, spooks.

What flies work for Smallmouth Bass in Maine?

White Deceivers, Gray Ghosts, white Woolly Buggers, bass poppers in black, streamers.

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

Prime smallmouth bass fishing season runs from late May through September, with peak action in summer months. Spring (May-June) is excellent. Fall provides excellent fishing with September and early October being particularly productive.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in Maine?

Long casts with lightweight presentations to avoid spooking fish in clear water. Focus on the 5-15 foot depth range around rocky structure in spring/summer, moving deeper as water cools.

What do Smallmouth Bass eat?

Opportunistic predators feeding primarily on baitfish (alewives, shad, herring, smelt), crayfish, insects, frogs, and virtually anything they can fit in their mouths. Juvenile bass eat smaller insects and crustaceans before switching to fish and crayfish as they grow.

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.

Maine licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Maine 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.