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Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass are Pennsylvania's rarest black bass species, found exclusively in the Ohio River drainage system. They are most abundant within a 20-mile radius of the confluence of three major rivers near Pittsburgh.

Unlike their largemouth and smallmouth cousins, spotted bass are not stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and their occurrence in Pennsylvania's reservoirs and lakes is unknown.

Scientific Name: Micropterus punctulatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These fish are distinguished by rows of dark spots below the lateral line, scales on the base of the second dorsal fin, and connected dorsal fins with an upper jaw that doesn't extend past the eye.
  • In Pennsylvania, a 12-inch spotted bass is approximately 6 years old - much older than similarly-sized largemouth or smallmouth bass - and rarely reach 15 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found exclusively in the Ohio River drainage system, which includes the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela River drainages.
  • They prefer areas with more current than largemouth bass but inhabit waters too warm and turbid for smallmouth bass, typically favoring small to medium streams and rivers with clear, slow-moving water and gravel or rock bottoms.

Key Locations

  • Focus your efforts on the Ohio River drainage system, particularly within 20 miles of Pittsburgh where the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers converge.

Specific Spots

  • Rocky banks, bluff ends, timber on main lake points, and areas 15-30 feet deep are particularly productive.

Spotted Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Bass in Pennsylvania?

Jigs with craw trailers, small plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinners - all effective for targeting these cunning predators.

What flies work for Spotted Bass in Pennsylvania?

Effective fly patterns include crayfish imitations in olive, brown, and rust colors, small streamers like Clouser Minnows in olive over white or brown over orange, and bugger-style flies in black, olive, and brown. During summer evenings, try surface patterns like small poppers and sliders.

When is the best time to fish for Spotted Bass in Pennsylvania?

Target spotted bass primarily during summer months (July-September) when they're most active and aggressive, avoiding the mid-April through mid-June spawning period when fishing for bass is restricted.

How do you catch Spotted Bass in Pennsylvania?

Fish deeper than you would for largemouth bass, as spotted bass tend to school in deeper water and are more inclined to suspend in the water column. Early morning and late evening provide the best action, though spotted bass can be caught throughout the day in proper habitat.

What do Spotted Bass eat?

Spotted bass are opportunistic predators with a diverse diet including small fish (minnows, shad, sunfish), crayfish, aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies, dragonflies), and occasionally amphibians.

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