|
White Bass- Silvery
fish with several faint horizontal stripes on the sides. Two
dorsal fins are only slightly separated. Travel in schools.
Tips: trolling
in small plugs or spinners. Jigs and minnows are effective.
Strictly a freshwater species,
they are medium-sized (nine to 15 inches long) and sporty fish
that are a favorite of local anglers.
White bass occur in the open
water habitat of large lakes and reservoirs, as well as some
large streams and rivers. They prefer clear water over firm
bottom and usually travel in large schools. Sometimes confused
with striped bass, white bass can be distinguished by their
deeper body shape and single tooth patch on the tongue. In
addition, white bass have only one of their dark stripes run
the entire body length from head to tail.
Spawning takes place in
tributary streams, nearshore areas and over shoals. Female
white bass release their eggs near the water surface. The eggs
sink and attach to rocks, sticks and bottom vegetation and
hatch within two to four days.
White bass are fast growing
predators. White bass are known for feeding at the surface in
large schools. They primarily eat insects and fish. White
bass are locally popular sportfish. Their aggressive nature
and schooling tendency make them one of the easiest fish to
catch. The best fishing is in spring when schools of white
bass move inshore. Casting or trolling streamer flies, jigs,
spinners, and spoons or still fishing with minnows will
produce good catches. Since white bass often feed near the
surface, be sure to keep lures and bait off bottom.
|
Species Facts |
|
Science Name:
|
Morone chrysops
|
|
Other Names:
|
stripe, silver bass,
striper, sand bass, barfish |
|
Ideal Temp:
|
65 to 75 |
|
World Record:
|
6 lbs. 13 ounces VA.
|
|
Environment:
|
stream and lakes
|
|
Techniques:
|
light tackle, fly fishing,
casting |
|
|
