White Bass
The White Bass is a freshwater fish and is also known as the Silver Bass or The Sand Bass. It will mostly grow to around 10-12 inches long
Description
The main color of this species is a silver white moving to pale green. It has a dark back with white undercarriage and sides. The fish has dark length-ways stripes along its sides. Its scales are rough and large and it has 2 dorsal fins.
White Bass Habitat
White Bass can normally be found in many areas in North America. They inhabit both large reservoirs and rivers. However, in spring, for mating, they are often found in creeks, streams and shallow rivers. They are usually found in large colonies.
The fish have been widely introduced as sport fish. They are in abundance in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Arkansas. The White Bass is the state fish in Oklahoma.
The record size for a caught fish is 6 pounds 13 ounces. This record is jointly held by catches in Virginia and Louisiana.
Diet.
White Bass are Carnivores. They will eat freshwater crustaceans, plankton and water fleas. They have no problem in going after live bait, such as worms or minnows. But it is generally only the larger of the fish that will eat other fish.
White Bass Reproduction
The spawning season for White Bass is mainly from the middle of March out to the end of May. Water temperatures at this time are usually around 12 to 20 degrees centigrade. ( 54 to 68 degrees fahrenheit)
They are known to go back to their home spawning ground at this time. The fish can spawn in either lakes or in the moving water of a tributary or stream.
Spawning takes place during daylight. During which time the females can release between a quarter and one million eggs.
The eggs are laid in clear water, which is usually shallow. They will stick to objects such as water plants, rocks, wood or gravel.
The mating process is such that the male will find a female and bump against her abdominal area until she releases eggs. She does this by moving toward the surface and spinning around.
After laying the eggs the parents leave the eggs and move to deeper waters. The spawn are then fertilized by male fish that are left in the area for that purpose.
Conclusion
White bass is a very popular sport fish and is widely fished especially in the mid western United States. It has good environmental qualities as it eats many of the smaller crustaceans and insects who help block waterways.
It is also good to eat and is in plentiful supply.