Yellow Bass
Yellow Bass (Morone mississippiensis) are an uncommon but fascinating species in Minnesota, reaching the northern limits of their range-wide distribution in the Mississippi River system.
Listed as a species of special concern since 1984 due to their limited distribution.
Scientific Name: Morone mississippiensis
- They're distinguished from White Bass by their silvery-yellow coloration with 6-9 dark horizontal stripes that are broken and offset above the anal fin, particularly the lower stripes.
- These relatively small bass typically measure 5-11 inches and weigh under a pound, though the largest Minnesota specimen reached 15.3 inches.
Fishing in Minnesota
Mississippi River
Sauk River
Rum River
Lake Minnetonka
Mille Lacs Lake
Crow River
Snake River
Little Rock Lake
Julia Lake
Long Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Yellow Bass are found sporadically in the Mississippi River from Pool 8 up to Lake Pepin, with dams preventing their northward migration.
- Yellow Bass inhabit large rivers and their backwaters, impoundments, and sloughs, preferring areas with little vegetation, low turbidity, and firm substrates ranging from mud and sand to rock and gravel.
Key Locations
- Target the Mississippi River system, particularly between Pool 8 and Lake Pepin.
- In recent years, the Fairmont chain of lakes (Amber, Hall, Budd, Sisseton, and George), Lake Imogene, and Clear Lake have developed significant Yellow Bass populations.
Specific Spots
- Focus on backwaters, side channel borders, tailwater zones of dams, main channel borders, and impounded shorelines.
- These fish prefer deeper water (6-20 feet) during most of the year, moving to shallow flats only during spawning.
- They're demersal fish, living near the bottom.
Yellow Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Yellow Bass in Minnesota?
Use 1/32-1/8 oz jigs tipped with soft plastics like small minnows or curly-tail grubs, football jigs to avoid snags, small spoons, and blade baits for vertical jigging. Effective colors include green, brown, and red. Small crankbaits, cricket lures, crappie tubes, and u-tail grubs also work well.
What flies work for Yellow Bass in Minnesota?
For fly fishing when they move shallow, use small streamers, poppers, and terrestrial patterns.
When is the best time to fish for Yellow Bass in Minnesota?
Most productive during spring and fall when they're actively feeding, avoiding the spawning period in May when water temperatures reach 68-72°F.
How do you catch Yellow Bass in Minnesota?
The most effective technique is drop shot rigging with small lures, as Yellow Bass are bottom-oriented feeders. Vertical jigging near structure like rocky points, submerged timber, drop-offs, and bridge pilings is particularly productive.
What do Yellow Bass eat?
Their diet consists primarily of invertebrates and small fish - juveniles feed almost exclusively on small crustaceans (copepods) and aquatic insects, while adults prey on small fish, minnows, shiners, and shad, along with insects and small crustaceans.
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