Description
One
of the largest of the Sunfish family (second only to the largemouth
bass). The body shape is only slightly longer than deep and slightly
thicker than the other Sunfish. They vary in colour depending on water
clarity but are usually golden brown to olive green with 8-15 vertical
bars on the sides. Smallmouths may be confused with Largemouth bass but
offer the following distinctive differences. Smallmouths have vertical
bars on the sides, dark bars radiating from the eyes and the mouth
reaches only as far back as the middle of the eye.
Habitat
The
traditional range of Smallmouths was limited to the Great Lakes and the
St. Lawrence but was extended with the expanse of the railways.
Smallmouths were introduced into many of the waters throughout Southern
and Northern Ontario. The current range extends southwards from Lake
Nipigon. The preferred water temperature is around 21 C (70 F).
Smallmouth bass are typically found in rocky areas, steep slopes and
around fallen trees.
Feeding
The most
abundant food item is crayfish, making up anywhere between 60-90% of
the diet. Fish and aquatic insects usually make up the remainder of the
diet but such things as frogs, tadpoles and salamanders can also make
up part of the diet.
Fishing
Tips
It is commonly argued that smallmouths are pound for pound the hardest
fighting sport fish. In their arsenal are spectacular jumps that
usually have the entire fish out of the water. The most exciting time
to fish smallmouth is in the early summer after spawning when they are
still shallow. At this time they will hit almost anything with hooks.
Fishing during calm evenings with top-water lures is some of the most
exciting fishing available. Later in the year, smallmouths move to
deeper rocky structures. Using deep diving crankbaits that imitate
crayfish or an abundant fish species can be very effective at this
time. Tube jigs are another popular bait for bass as are other crayfish
imitating plastic baits. The most popular live baits are crayfish and
leeches. During the late fall, fishing is tougher, but can produce the
biggest fish of the year.
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