White Bass (Morone chrysops)
Description: Non-native. Introduced in 1960. Body silver-white,
4 to 7 dark horizontal lines; Lines below lateral line often faint and
broken. Dorsal fins are distinctly separate, unlike the yellow bass,
which are joined at the base. 2nd anal spine distinctly shorter than
the 3rd. Lower jaw protrudes beyond upper jaw; Generally a single patch
of teeth at base of tongue. Length: 8 to19 inches. Weight: 5 ounces
to 4 pounds. Location and Habitat: Found only in Imperial Reservoir
on the Colorado River and Lake Pleasant. Prefer clear, open waters.
Spawn in large groups, in April or May, generally over rocky or rip-rap
type areas. Food: Main diet is threadfin shad. Hungry white bass will
often pursue schools of shad, causing the shad to jump and "boil" the
surface of the water in their frantic efforts to escape. Angling: Effective
lures are spinners, spoons, jigs and shad type crank baits. During a
feeding frenzy, they will strike practically any shad imitating lure
tossed into their midst. Table Quality: The meat is white, firm, flaky
and good eating.
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