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BC Conservation Data Centre: Species Summary


Micropterus dolomieu
Smallmouth Bass

 
Scientific Name: Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, 1802
English Name: Smallmouth Bass
 
Classification / Taxonomy
Scientific Name - Concept Reference: Kim, D., A. T. Taylor, and T. J. Near. 2022. Phylogenomics and species delimitation of the economically important Black Basses (Micropterus). Scientific Reports 12, 9113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11743-2
Classification Level: Species
Species Group: Vertebrate Animal
Species Code: F-MIDO
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
Animalia Craniata Actinopterygii Centrarchiformes Centrarchidae
   
Conservation Status / Legal Designation
Global Status: GNR
Provincial Status: SNA (Jul 2025)
BC List: Exotic
Provincial FRPA list:   
Provincial Wildlife Act:
COSEWIC Status:
SARA Schedule:
General Status Canada: 4 - Secure (2005)
   
Ecology & Life History
General Description: The elongate body is compressed from side to side, the upper jaw does not extend beyond the rear edge of the eye in adults, the dorsal fin has two parts that are fairly broadly connected (front part is spiny, rear part has 13-15 (usually 14) soft rays), and the shortest spine at the rear of the front part of the dorsal fin is more than half as long as the longest spine. The sides have irregular dark vertical markings, the cheeks have four dark streaks that radiate from eye or snout, and a white spot is present at the rear end of the gill cover. This species never has a broad black stripe on each side. The tail fin of young is three-banded with yellow, black, and white (at the tip); this fades with age. Maximum total length is around 27.5 inches (69 cm).
Global Reproduction Comments: Spawning occurs in late spring or early summer and may be interrupted by flooding. Eggs hatch in 2-10 days at 60-77°F (15-25°C). Males guards eggs and hatchlings. Fry leave the nest about 10-15 days after egg deposition. Parental care may last 4 weeks or longer. Individuals usually attain sexual maturity at age II in south, age VI in north (Moyle 1976, Becker 1983). Nests are solitary rather than colonial.
Global Ecology Comments: Usually stays within 5 miles of place of original capture, but longer movements have been recorded (Scott and Crossman 1973).
Migration Characteristics:
(Global / Provincial)		 
    Nonmigrant:
    Local Migrant:
    Distant Migrant:
    Within Borders Migrant: 		Y /
Y /
N /
na /
Global Migration Comments: May migrate short distances between spawning and nonspawning habitats (Moyle 1976).
Habitats:
(Type / Subtype / Dependence)
Global Habitat Comments: Smallmouth basses prefer large clear lakes (especially in the northern part of the range) and clear midorder streams with many large pools, abundant cover (rocks, shelves, logs, etc.), and cool summer temperatures. Adults seek shelter of pools or deep water during day.

Spawning habitat includes shallow water in lakes or quiet areas of streams, often fairly close to shore. Lake populations may move a short distance up a stream to spawn. Females deposit eggs in nests made by males, usually near cover on gravel or sand bottoms. Individual males may nest close to the previous year's nest site (Ridgway et al. 1991).
Food Habits: Carnivore: Adult, Immature
Invertivore: Adult, Immature
Piscivore: Adult, Immature
Global Food Habits Comments: Fry eat mainly crustaceans and aquatic insects (e.g., chironomid larvae and pupae) until they are about 5 cm TL, when they start feeding heavily on fishes. Crayfish, amphibians, and insects often become dominant foods of local populations or seasonally. Adults almost entirely piscivorous if sufficient prey available.
Global Phenology: Crepuscular: Adult, Immature
Global Phenology Comments: In the warmer months, smallmouth bass are most active at dusk and dawn. In the northern part of the range, smallmouth basses are relatively inactive in winter (Becker 1983).
Provincial Phenology:
(1st half of month/
2nd half of month)
Colonial Breeder: N
Length(cm)/width(cm)/Weight(g): 69/ /
Elevation (m) (min / max): Global: 
Provincial: 
   
 
Distribution
Endemic: N
Global Range Comment: This widespread species is native to the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec to North Dakota and south to northern Alabama and to the Missouri and Meramec river basins of Arkansas and Missouri. Populations in southwestern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma and southern Arkansas have been re-assigned to other species (Kim et al. 2022, Page and Burr 2011, Stark and Echelle 1998).

It has been widely introduced throughout the United States, southern Canada, and other countries. Miller (2005) note that is introduced and established in Mexico.
 
Authors / Contributors
Global Information Author: Hammerson, G.
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2010
Provincial Information Author:
Last Updated:
   
References and Related Literature
Becker, G. C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1,052 pp.
Moyle, P. B. 1976a. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, California. 405 pp.
Ridgway, M. S., J. A. MacLean, and J. C. MacLeod. 1991a. Nest-site fidelity in a centrarchid fish, the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui). Canadian Journal of Zoology 69:3103-3105.
Scott, W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Bulletin 184. 966 pp.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2010. Species Summary: Micropterus dolomieu. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 7, 2026).