Bass, Spotted
Description
Similar in appearance to the largemouth bass, spotted bass do not generally rely on cover, holding in areas of large rocks and dropoffs, and inhabiting deeper waters. The most noticeable difference between them is the addition of rows of black spots on the lower half of the side of the body. Spotted bass are considerably smaller, reaching a maximum of about 24 inches in length. The easiest characteristics to distinguish between the largemouth and the spotted bass are the size of the mouth and the appearance of the dorsal fin. The spotted bass has a dorsal fin that is clearly connected, while the largemouth appears to have two separate fins.
Average Length
Average Weight
Temperature Range
Habitat
Preferring cool and warm mountain streams and reservoirs with rocky bottoms, the spotted bass feeds on insects, crustaceans, frogs, annelid worms, and smaller fish.
Range
The original range of spotted bass included all the lower and central Mississippi River drainage from Missouri to Mississippi, as well as the Gulf Coast drainages from the Chattahoochee River in Georgia to the Guadalupe River in Texas. Now found across the United States, reaching as far west as California and Nevada.
