Spotted Bass
Spotted bass in Mississippi are slender fish with distinctive rows of dark spots on their lower sides forming horizontal streaks, plus a diamond-shaped lateral stripe pattern.
They're smaller than largemouth bass, typically reaching 18-24 inches and living about 6 years, with females growing larger than males.
They prefer faster-moving waters than largemouth bass, adapting well to reservoirs and frequently found around rocks and rip-rap.
Scientific Name: Micropterus punctulatus
- Slender fish with distinctive rows of dark spots on their lower sides forming horizontal streaks, plus a diamond-shaped lateral stripe pattern.
- Smaller than largemouth bass, typically reaching 18-24 inches, with females growing larger than males.
Fishing in Mississippi
Pearl River
Yazoo River
Mississippi River
Leaf River
Bouie River
Ross R Barnett Reservoir
Lake Castle
Big Black River
Pelahatchie Creek
Lake Dockery
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Various reservoirs where they inhabit deeper, clearer waters than largemouth bass prefer.
Key Locations
- Bay Springs Lake (excellent spotted bass population, especially February through mid-April), Pickwick Lake (produces many 4-8 pound fish), Ross Barnett Reservoir north of Highway 43 to Low Head Dam for Kentucky bass action.
Specific Spots
- Rocky banks, bluff ends, main lake points, areas with current, brush piles and deep timber, main lake areas and creek channels, 30-50 foot depths in winter, sometimes as deep as 70 feet, gravel or rock bottoms for spawning.
Spotted Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Bass in Mississippi?
1-ounce jigging spoons, drop-shot rigs with small shad-shaped baits like Zoom Tiny Flukes, quarter-ounce shaky heads with Zoom Trick Worms, Yo-Zuri 3DB 110 jerkbaits in white pearl, Zoom Super Fluke Juniors on quarter-ounce heads, Yo-Zuri Hardcore Shad 60 and 3DR-X Midrunners in crawfish patterns, topwater lures like...
When is the best time to fish for Spotted Bass in Mississippi?
Winter (December-February) offers exceptional fishing when fish group up in 30-50 foot depths, sometimes as deep as 70 feet. Spring fishing focuses on jerkbaits and small crankbaits during cloudy, windy conditions. Summer requires topwater lures and targeting fish around brush piles and deep timber.
How do you catch Spotted Bass in Mississippi?
Vertical presentations including jigging spoons, drop-shot rigs, shaky heads dragged on bottom structure. Vertical jigging spoons and drop shots in main lake areas and creek channels. Spinner baits, jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms techniques.
What do Spotted Bass eat?
Diet shifts from plankton and small crustaceans as juveniles to larger aquatic insects, crayfish, and small fish as adults, with crawfish and fish making up 50% of their diet by 6 inches in length. They feed on shad, minnows, and other open-water forage.
Where do Spotted Bass live in Mississippi?
Various reservoirs where they inhabit deeper, clearer waters than largemouth bass prefer.
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