Utah's Game Fish: Smallmouth Bass

The fish is also known in other parts as a black bass, brown bass and bronzeback. The names come from its coloration. The fish is bronze or brownish in color on the upper part of the body, with brown and greenish sides, some vertical black bars and white or light yellow underside. It has a continuous dorsal fin, which looks like two separate fins. The upper jaw reaches up to a point level with the eyes, but never higher, and the mouth is ahead of the eyes. Its most distinguishing feature is its bright red or orange eyes.

Characteristics

Attempts to establish the smallmouth in Utah were made between 1912 and 1914. It wasn't until more recently, however, that the fish became recognized by Utah anglers, who were more in tune with fishing for trout. Originally the fish was found in the Great Lakes region and in the mid-South. Now it is found in most states, except for Alaska, Florida and Louisiana. Smallmouth are similar to trout in the conditions they prefer. They like cold, clear water and cannot tolerate water above 80 degrees. They do not require woody cover like the largemouth bass, but prefer rocky shorelines, which makes them an ideal fish for so many of Utah's rocky reservoirs like Starvation, Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. Smallmouth like to stay close to shore, which makes them a good fit for these waters along with trout, which prefer to cruise in open water. Smallmouth are very aggressive fish and will outcompete most other fish. Smallmouth bass eat insects, crayfish, other fish and any careless reptile, bird or mammal that can fit into its mouth. The smallmouth bass is smaller than its cousin, the largemouth, but is noted for its fight. Most smallmouth range from one to two pounds. Fish up to four pounds are considered trophies. The world record is 10 pounds, 14 ounces. The Utah record is 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was caught in 1996 in Midview Reservoir. Like the largemouth, the smallmouth offers excellent table qualities.

Location

Utah's most famous smallmouth fisheries are Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. Both of these reservoirs were not originally smallmouth fisheries. Smallmouth were introduced later on to control chubs at Flaming Gorge and as the largemouth bass cover disappeared at Lake Powell. Introductions were very successful and angler acceptance was immediate. Smallmouth bass are now found in many of Utah's most popular Wasatch Front reservoirs, including Jordanelle, Deer Creek, Rockport, Echo, East Canyon, Pineview and Willard Bay. Most notable of these is Jordanelle, where smallmouth bass in excess of four pounds are common. Other outstanding smallmouth fisheries in Utah are Minersville, New Castle, Starvation, Otter Creek, Piute, Bullock and Midview reservoirs.