Lake Texoma Smallmouth Bass | Bass Fishing On Lake Texoma
Smallmouth bass prefer large clear-water lakes (greater than 100 acres, more than 30 feet deep) and cool streams with clear water and gravel substrate.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing On Lake Texoma
Smallmouth bass ARE green with dark vertical bands rather than a horizontal band along the side. There are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin, and the upper jaw never extends beyond the eye. Known maximum size in Texas exceeds 7.5 pounds. Micropterus is Greek meaning “small fin”. The species epithet dolomieu refers to the French mineralogist M. Dolomieu. Smallmouth bass in small streams a fish’s activity may be limited to just one stream pool or extend into several. The smallmouth bass spawn occurs in the spring. When water temperatures approach 60°F males move into spawning areas.
Smallmouth Bass Distribution
Smallmouth bass originally ranged north into Minnesota and southern Quebec, south to the Tennessee River in Alabama and west to eastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas. Today there are few states, east or west of the Rocky Mountains, where populations have not become established. Florida and Louisiana are apparently free of smallmouth bass.