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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass are one of New York's premier gamefish, known for their bronze coloration and aggressive fighting ability.

Scientific Name: Micropterus dolomieu

Physical Characteristics:
  • They're distinguished by their small mouths that don't extend beyond the eye, vertical dark bars on their sides, and a deep notch in the dorsal fin.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • The species originally ranged from the Great Lakes south through the Mississippi basin, but after the Erie Canal's completion in 1825, they expanded into central New York and are now found statewide except in the warmest southern waters.

Key Locations

  • Lake Erie, Myers Reef, Evans Bar, Van Buren Bay, Seneca Shoal, Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek, Canadaway Creek, Chautauqua Creek, the Finger Lakes, Lake Champlain, Lake George, St.
  • Lawrence River, and Adirondack waters, Oneida Lake.

Specific Spots

  • They inhabit shallow rocky areas of lakes and clear, gravel-bottom runs of rivers, seeking deeper waters with moderate current around submerged structures like logs, rocks, and stumps.
  • Target rocky banks with 45-degree slopes, underwater humps, channel breaks, and areas where rocky structure drops into deep water.

Smallmouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Tube jigs (2.5-5 inches) with 1/4 to 1/2 oz leadheads in smoke/charcoal or brown colors, drop-shot rigs with soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, stickbaits, and minnow patterns.

What flies work for Smallmouth Bass in New York?

RK Craw pattern excels during summer and fall in stable/low water conditions, while baitfish patterns work best in spring and higher water. Effective fly patterns include woolly buggers, emerald shiner imitations, Clouser Minnows (originally invented for smallmouth), deceivers, poppers, and hellgrammite patterns.

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

Spring offers the best smallmouth fishing in New York, particularly the pre-spawn period in late March and April. Summer fishing is productive in 20-40 feet of water around rocky structure. In winter below 60°F, they enter semi-hibernation in deeper water and become less active.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in New York?

Focus on the 15-35 foot zone with vertical presentations. Use drop-shot rigs with soft plastics. Target rocky banks with 45-degree slopes, underwater humps, channel breaks, and areas where rocky structure drops into deep water.

What do Smallmouth Bass eat?

Their diet primarily consists of crayfish (historically 50% before round goby invasion), which now comprises 75% of their diet in the Great Lakes. They also feed on insects, fish, tadpoles, frogs, and in Oneida Lake, yellow perch, gizzard shad, and even zebra mussels.

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