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White Bass

White Bass

White Bass are a hard-fighting temperate bass species native to South Dakota's Big Sioux River and Minnesota River drainages. They've been introduced throughout the state and are now found in all four Missouri River reservoirs as well as eastern glacial lakes.

These schooling fish are known for their aggressive schooling behavior and can travel up to 10 miles per day, making them challenging to locate but extremely rewarding when found.

Scientific Name: Morone chrysops

Physical Characteristics:
  • These schooling fish typically measure 12-13 inches and can exceed 3 pounds in South Dakota waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to South Dakota's Big Sioux River and Minnesota River drainages.
  • They've been introduced throughout the state.
  • They prefer clear water with hard bottoms like sand, gravel, or rocks.

Key Locations

  • All four Missouri River reservoirs (Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake) as well as eastern glacial lakes like Lake Kampeska, Lake Poinsett, and Enemy Swim Lake.
  • Stock dams throughout central South Dakota also provide excellent opportunities.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas in 10-20 feet of water where they push shad to the surface, especially near gravel flats, main lake points, and bridge pilings.
  • Focus on riprap banks, dam faces, and areas with boulder piles and tree snags.
  • Shallow, warming bays and near tributary mouths.
  • On Missouri River reservoirs, concentrate efforts in the upper ends during spring and lower ends during winter.

White Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in South Dakota?

Lipless crankbaits (Rapala Rattlin' Rap, Storm Rock and Shad), spinnerbaits (Terminator T1), swim jigs with curly tail trailers, white and silver spoons, jigs, swimbaits, topwater lures, flashers, squids, and deep-diving plugs in chartreuse and silver.

When is the best time to fish for White Bass in South Dakota?

Early spring after spawning concludes, summer during surface feeding frenzies, and fall when they chase baitfish. They spawn from mid-March to late May when water temperatures reach 52-68°F.

How do you catch White Bass in South Dakota?

Spring fishing using horizontal-moving baits in shallow, warming bays and near tributary mouths. Summer fishing by locating schools using electronics and targeting surface feeding areas during first and last light.

What do White Bass eat?

White Bass are carnivorous, feeding primarily on calanoid copepods, cyclopoid copepods, daphnia, and leptodora as juveniles, transitioning to a more piscivorous diet as adults. Their diet overlaps with walleye in South Dakota waters, though this overlap decreases as both species grow larger through summer and fall.

Where do White Bass live in South Dakota?

Native to South Dakota's Big Sioux River and Minnesota River drainages. They've been introduced throughout the state. They prefer clear water with hard bottoms like sand, gravel, or rocks.

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