White Bass
White Bass are native freshwater fish in New York, belonging to the temperate bass family alongside striped bass and white perch.
These schooling fish are aggressive predators that are visual feeders and hunt in large schools, often corralling prey fish to the surface in feeding frenzies.
Scientific Name: Morone chrysops
- Distinguished by their silver-white to pale green coloration with narrow dark stripes running lengthwise on their sides, separated dorsal fins, and a single tooth patch on their tongue.
Fishing in New York
Delaware River
East Branch Delaware River
Susquehanna River
Beaver Kill
Lackawanna River
Chenango River
Rondout Creek
Lehigh River
Tobyhanna Creek
West Branch Delaware River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- New York's major water bodies.
- They prefer open water environments during the day and move to shallower areas at night.
Key Locations
- Lake Erie (particularly abundant in western basin tributaries like the Maumee, Sandusky, Portage, and Huron Rivers), the Hudson River system, Finger Lakes, Lake George, Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, and Niagara River.
Specific Spots
- Fish near tributary mouths, points, riprap areas, and open water where schools of baitfish congregate.
- Target Lake Erie's western basin tributaries, the Hudson River system, Finger Lakes, and major reservoirs.
White Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in New York?
Lipless crankbaits like Rat-L-Traps in shad patterns, curly tail grubs on 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jigs, small spoons, inline spinners like Rooster Tails, and swimbaits. Use white, silver, or chartreuse colors, with white and silver most effective in clear water and chartreuse in murky conditions.
What flies work for White Bass in New York?
Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers, and finesse changers in white, chartreuse, and shad patterns.
When is the best time to fish for White Bass in New York?
Prime White Bass fishing in New York occurs from late spring through fall, with the best action typically from May through November.
How do you catch White Bass in New York?
During summer, troll in 10-20 feet of water or vertical jig over deepwater flats and ledges. In tailwater areas below dams, cast at 45-degree upcurrent angles into eddies and current breaks. Live bait options include simple Carolina rigs.
What do White Bass eat?
Feed primarily on shad species, particularly threadfin and gizzard shad, along with other baitfish, minnows, crustaceans, and insects.
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