....ounce for ounce and pound for pound, the gamest fish that swims....

                                       - Dr. James Henshall.  Book of Black Bass (1881)

With its acrobatic leaps and over all bad attitude that just doesn't know the meaning of quit, the Smallmouth Bass is a favourite specie of many a recreational angler in the province of Ontario.

The smallmouth, (smallie, bronzeback, brown bass) is a warm water species that can typically be found in the rocky and sandy areas of lakes and rivers in moderately shallow water, but are also often caught in waters ranging to 40 feet in depth, around mid-lake shoals and submerged logs, as well as deep water weed edges that grow in the sand close to where the sunlight no longer penetrates the water's surface. Anglers who find themselves fishing on clear water lakes will usually find it more successful to fish deeper areas, while the darker, tea stained lakes will typically hold smallmouth in water that is much more shallow.

The diet of an adult bass is mostly comprised of a variety of small fish, however, being opportunistic feeders, a Smallmouth Bass will feed on whatever happens to be the most abundant food source in their area. Frogs, Tadpoles, Crawfish along with a variety of aquatic insects make up the rest of their diet in most situations. A trip to a local tackle retailer that sells equipment for this species will have on display lures that resemble these food types amoung the many commercially produced fishing lures designed to aid the angler in his pursuit of this great fish. 

Olive green in colour, the Smallmouth Bass is typically distinguished by a series of dark vertical bars that run down the length of the body with 13 -15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. However this species, like many others, possess the ability to change the contrast of these markings in order to better blend in with their surroundings. This change in the skins pigmentation will depend on the age and size of the fish as well as its condition and habitat. A Bass caught in clear water near cover will typically have more contrast than a Bass caught in dark or cold water. Sometimes to the point where there are no markings at all. The most common way to distinguish a Smallmouth from its cousin the Largemouth Bass is to note the relation of the eye to the jaw line. The jaw line of a Smallmouth Bass will not extend past the eye of the fish.

(See illustration below)

Note the upper jaw on a Smallmouth Bass will only extend to the eye

A native of the rivers and lakes of eastern and central North America, the smallmouth first moved outside of their native range  through out Canada and the United States  in the early 1800's as  various railroads extended across the continent .

 Shipped in pails and barrels, the Smallmouth was re-distributed in area waterways thoughout much of the continent as a source of food for various logging operations and new settlements, due to their fine table fare and ability to survive in almost any environment. In Ontario today we can enjoy Smallmouth Bass fishing in just about any waterbody south of Timmins Ont.

In central Ontario the life cycle of the Smallmouth Bass begins in late May, where after reaching the age of sexual maturity, (approx. 2-3 years) Smallmouth begin to move into shallow sand and gravel areas to find a suitable place to spawn. Male Smallmouth arrive first fanning out a nest in 2 -10 feet of water, quite often placing the nest near large objects such as rocks, logs or dock pilings . Females will then move in to find a suitable mate and immediately return to deep water to recuperate after depositing her eggs, leaving the male to guard the nest for a gustation period of 4-10 days. Once hatched, the fry will remain in the nest for 5 - 7 days, still guarded by the male who will attack any predator that comes too close, this would include the fishing lures of an unsuspecting angler.

Due to the susceptibility of angling pressure for Smallmouth this time of year as well as the stress to the fish brought on by the spawn, this species is protected by a closed fishing season during this time of year.

Currently the open season on Smallmouth Bass in Ontario runs from the 4th Saturday in June to November 30th through out most of the province.

 Always remember to check your Ontario Fishing Regulations for any special restrictions on the body of water you'll be fishing before you head out.

Take care and stay tuned for articles on to catch this great fish at L.C.O.