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White Bass

White Bass

White bass are native to West Virginia's Ohio River drainage, representing a pelagic species that prefers clear, open water environments.

These are true temperate bass belonging to the Moronidae family, distinguished by their deeper body profile compared to striped bass and hybrid striped bass.

White bass are highly social predators that feed in large schools, often observed corralling fleeing schools of prey fish. As aggressive sight-feeding carnivores, they typically feed in early morning and evening hours.

Scientific Name: Morone chrysops

Physical Characteristics:
  • These silver-colored fish display characteristic dark horizontal stripes running lengthwise on their sides that generally fade near the tail.
  • They are distinguished by their deeper body profile compared to striped bass and hybrid striped bass, rarely exceeding 16 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • White bass are native to West Virginia's Ohio River drainage, representing a pelagic species that prefers clear, open water environments.
  • White bass inhabit West Virginia's larger rivers including the Ohio, Kanawha, Monongahela, and New River systems, as well as major impoundments.

Key Locations

  • Focus efforts on large rivers like the Ohio, Kanawha, and New River systems, as well as major impoundments including Beech Fork, Bluestone, Mt.
  • Storm, and R.D.
  • Bailey lakes.
  • White bass inhabit West Virginia's larger rivers including the Ohio, Kanawha, Monongahela, and New River systems, as well as major impoundments such as Beech Fork, Bluestone, Mt.
  • Storm, and R.D.
  • Bailey lakes.

Specific Spots

  • Look for riffles, dam tailwaters, shorelines, and areas with current breaks.
  • Target deeper water during midday, focusing on areas near the bottom along rocky points, channel breaks, and drop-offs where white bass often school when not actively feeding.

White Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in West Virginia?

Productive artificial lures include silver spoons, white spinners, minnow-imitating crankbaits, and lead-headed jigs. Small lipless crankbaits in shad colorations (1/16 to 1/2 ounce), curly tail grubs in white or chartreuse on 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jig heads, and paddletail swimbaits in white, blue, or chartreuse prove...

What flies work for White Bass in West Virginia?

Clouser Minnows in olive/white (size 2-6), white Woolly Buggers (size 4-10), and Finesse Changers in shad patterns.

When is the best time to fish for White Bass in West Virginia?

Spring and early fall provide the best opportunities for targeting white bass in West Virginia waters.

How do you catch White Bass in West Virginia?

Live bait fishing with minnows works well in areas where permitted - use small to medium bait-holding hooks with minnows in the 2-4 inch range. Watch for surface feeding activity indicated by diving birds or surface disturbances, then switch to topwater presentations.

What do White Bass eat?

Their diet consists primarily of other fish including shad, minnows, and forage species, though they will also consume crayfish and larger invertebrates when available.

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