Spotted Bass fishing
Micropterus punctulatus. Resembles a largemouth bass in coloration but has a smaller mouth; the upper jaw reaches only to or just past the eye.
Spotted Bass fishing uses a Texas-rigged plastic worm or live crayfish, at dawn and at dusk. Spotted bass generally reproduce naturally once established and are less dependent on repeated stocking than fish like trout; agencies mainly introduce them as fingerlings to start a new fishery.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dawn and Dusk
- Line
- –
- Hook sizes
- –
- Stocked in
- 1 state
Identification
- Resembles a largemouth bass in coloration but has a smaller mouth; the upper jaw reaches only to or just past the eye.
- Rows of dark spots below the lateral line under a dark horizontal stripe, the trait that gives the species its name.
- Lacks the vertical bars found on smallmouth bass and has noticeably smaller cheek scales than either relative.
- Typically 10-17 inches and up to about 4-5 pounds; a rough patch on the tongue is a reliable ID trait.
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 19, 2026
Top lures
Top baits
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 19, 2026
Line & tackle
- Rod power
Depth by season
Spring
Fish move into smaller tributary streams after high spring flows.
Summer
In reservoirs, spotted bass are generally found deeper than largemouth or smallmouth bass, sometimes to 100 feet.
Fall
Fish return to larger streams and the main reservoir as water levels and flows drop.
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 19, 2026
Stocked behavior
Spotted bass generally reproduce naturally once established and are less dependent on repeated stocking than fish like trout; agencies mainly introduce them as fingerlings to start a new fishery. They favor cooler, flowing, less turbid water than largemouth bass but warmer, more current-swept water than smallmouth bass, and often hold deeper than either relative in a reservoir.
Common mistakes
- Misidentifying spotted bass as largemouth; look for very small cheek scales, a broad dark midside stripe with wavy margins, and rows of dark spots below it.
Where it's stocked
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Texas
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 4.49 lbs | Michael Hardin | Valco Ponds (Pueblo Co.) | 2005 |
| Kentucky | 7.63 lbs | A. E. Sellers Louisville, KY | Private Lake Nelson County | 1970 |
| Virginia | 4 lbs. 12 oz. | Cliffton Joel Hamilton | Claytor Lake | 2020 |
Common questions
What lures work for Spotted Bass?
Texas-rigged plastic worm, a soft plastic in green pumpkin and black/blue.
What bait works for Spotted Bass?
Live crayfish.
Where do Spotted Bass hold?
Spring: Fish move into smaller tributary streams after high spring flows. Summer: In reservoirs, spotted bass are generally found deeper than largemouth or smallmouth bass, sometimes to 100 feet. Fall: Fish return to larger streams and the main reservoir as water levels and flows drop.
How big do Spotted Bass get?
The Colorado record is 4.49 lbs from Valco Ponds (Pueblo Co.) in 2005. The Kentucky record is 7.63 lbs from Private Lake Nelson County in 1970. The Virginia record is 4 lbs. 12 oz. from Claytor Lake in 2020.