Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass closely resemble their cousins, the largemouths, in appearance but can be identified by looking at their mouths and body color markings. The upper jaws of smallmouths do not reach beyond the rear edge of the eye, as do the largemouths, and there are a series of eight to 11 thin vertical dark bars on the smallmouth's sides, rather than the often pronounced dark horizontal stripe typical of largemouths.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass thrive best in warm, shallow, well-vegetated areas of ponds and sluggish streams. They are rather solitary fish, preferring to stay among dense aquatic vegetation or close to submerged cover, such as stumps, logs, or dock pilings.

The largemouth bass is the largest member of the sunfish family and has been known to reach weights in excess of ten pounds. It closely resembles the smallmouth, but differs by its long upper jaw which extends well beyond the eye, and its pronounced wide, solid black lateral band. In addition, the largemouth is more of a dark green color than the smallmouth.

Spotted Bass

Spotted bass inhabit flowing streams in California and are more tolerant of slow, warm, turbid water than smallmouth. In lakes, spotted bass are found in deeper water. They prefer rocky bottom areas as well as areas with steeply sloping sides.

Stripped Bass

Striped bass are very important sport and commercial fish in the United States. Their speed, power, and large size makes them one of the most exciting sportfish.

Black Bass

Black Bass enerally has light greenish to brownish sides with a dark lateral line which tends to break into blotches towards the tail. Often confused with smallmouth and spotted bass, it is easily distinguishable because the upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge of the eye. Also, its first and second dorsal fins are almost separated by an obvious deep dip, and there are no scales on the soft-rayed second dorsal fin or on the anal fin.

White Bass

Strictly a freshwater species, white bass have a limited distribution. They are medium-sized (nine to 15 inches long) and sporty fish that are a favorite of local anglers.