White Bass

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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