Smallmouth Bass Rivers and Lakes Guide
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The smallmouth bass is native to the Hudson Bay basin, the Mississippi River basin and the Great lakes. In the lakes and rivers of New York smallmouth bass can now be found although they were not originally so widespread. They were also introduced into the lakes of the Adirondacks where they had an impact on the native fish, particularly the brook trout. The popularity of smallmouth bass by anglers and its tolerance for a wide range of conditions has led to its introduction in many places outside its natural range including other continents. Smallmouth bass have been introduced to Europe, Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan among other countries. Particularly common has been the introduction into the northeastern US and Canada where the impact on the native species is now receiving some attention.
Negative Impact of Introducing Bass
Recent studies have shown that smallmouth bass can lead to decreases in the native fish population by predation or more indirectly by changing the native fishes behaviour, For instance the native fish may hide more and therefore spend less time searching for food when smallmouth bass are present. Bass also prey on brook trout and lake trout so force native fish to search out other less energetically feasible foods.
Where to Find Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass feed on mayflies and dragonflies and other aquatic insect lava when young. Older bass feed on other fish and crawfish which are not usually preyed on by other fish. Smallmouth bass can tolerate the warmer temperatures found on lake shorelines during the summer months when other trout predators move to deeper waters. Under water structures, including rocks, weed banks and other larger objects are favorite places for larger smallmouth bass to hide. From these structures the bass can wait for their prey and they also provide shelter from birds such as loons and kingfishers, and from land based predators such as mink. Smallmouth bass are also found in wider, warmer downstream reaches away from the colder water which trout usually favour. The rocky shores of large lakes, including lake Ontario and surrounding lakes are other favorite places to find smallmouth bass.