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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Originally introduced to Oregon in the 1920s, smallmouth bass have expanded dramatically throughout the state's river systems.

They've colonized the entire mainstem Willamette River and its tributaries, the Columbia River system, John Day River, Umpqua River, and numerous lakes and reservoirs.

Their distribution has grown significantly - what was once limited to lower river reaches now extends throughout entire watersheds.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Smallmouth bass in Oregon are golden green to bronze colored fish with dark vertical bars and blotches on their sides.
  • They're somewhat smaller than largemouth bass, typically reaching 23 inches and exceeding 7 pounds in Oregon waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • These fish are particularly adapted to flowing waters and prefer warm streams with deep holes, rocky ledges, boulders, and drop-offs.
  • In lakes, they favor rocky shorelines with limited vegetation.

Key Locations

  • Prime Oregon locations include the John Day River (world-class fishing from Service Creek to Kimberly and at Cottonwood Bridge), Columbia River Gorge, Willamette River system, Umpqua River (particularly the lower river), Grande Ronde River, and lakes like Henry Hagg Lake, Tenmile Lakes, and various Columbia River reservoirs.

Specific Spots

  • Target rocky structure including points, boulders, ledges, drop-offs, and areas with current breaks.

Smallmouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective lures include plastic grubs (particularly 6-inch worms in root beer, purple, or black with chartreuse tail), crankbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, and jigheads with plastic grub tails. Small lures work best since smallmouth are generally smaller than largemouth bass.

What flies work for Smallmouth Bass in Oregon?

For fly fishing, use streamers, poppers, hellgrammite patterns, and flies that imitate crayfish and baitfish.

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

The best smallmouth bass fishing in Oregon occurs from April through October, peaking during summer months when water temperatures are between 68-75°F. Spring fishing (April-May) targets pre-spawn fish that feed aggressively in shallow waters as they move toward spawning areas.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in Oregon?

In rivers, look for slower-moving water, eddies, and areas with cover where bass can ambush prey.

What do Smallmouth Bass eat?

Smallmouth bass are opportunistic predators with an incredibly diverse diet including crayfish, sculpins, cyprinids, suckers, sand rollers, aquatic insects, hellgrammites, mayflies, cicadas, grasshoppers, frogs, salamanders, and various baitfish.

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