Facts

Small fin
The smallmouth bass was given the scientific name Micropterus dolomieu by the French naturalist Count Bernard Germain Etienne De La Ville Lacepede. Micropterus is Latin for “small fin.” The second name, dolomieu, was after M. Dolomieu, a French mineralogist for whom dolomite, a rock type, is also named.
Nicknames
Smallmouth have a number of local names. They include: brown bass, brownie, bronze back, green trout, jumper, Oswego bass, redeye bass, river bass and smallie.
The unbass
The smallmouth bass is actually a member of the sunfish family (one of the largest freshwater sport fish families). Smallmouth are also grouped with the largemouth and spotted (Kentucky) bass which are collectively known as black bass.
Cool fish
Smallmouth bass shun waters with temperatures that commonly exceed the mid-80s. Temperatures over 90 degrees F are lethal. Smallmouth bass also need a great amount of dissolved oxygen. A dependable stream flow, streamside shade and modest current are also important to riverine smallmouth bass.
Spring spawn hazards
Research on smallmouth bass has shown no relationship between the number of spawning fish and the success of the spawn. The strength of the year’s hatch depends solely on water conditions–in particular, a sudden cold snap or muddy floodwaters can kill eggs and fry.
Tail fin ID
The tail fin on young smallmouth is distinctly tri-colored with a black vertical bar separating the yellowish fin base from the whitish fringe along the rear margin of the fin.
Follow the feeder
An interesting habit of smallmouth bass is to follow a large turtle or sucker as they dig or root along the bottom, pouncing on any insects or crayfish disturbed by the feeding activity.
18-year-old fish
Smallmouth bass have a maximum life expectancy of about 18 years; however, only a few ever live even half that long.
For the record
The current Missouri state record is 7 pounds, 2 ounces, caught in 1994 from Stockton Lake. The largest smallmouth bass on record weighed 11 pounds and 15 ounces and was 27 inches long. It was caught in 1955 from Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee.