Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are dark green to bronze or pale gold on their back and sides, often with dark vertical bands. White belly. Stout body. Large, forward-facing mouth.
About This Species
Introduced to Colorado in 1951, smallmouth have been stocked in warm- and cool-water reservoirs and lakes in many parts of the state. The best way to distinguish the smallmouth from its cousin, the largemouth bass, is by the “smallies” jaws that do not extend beyond the eye. They maintain broken vertical lines on their sides, and many have a reddish eye. Smallies are frequently caught along rip-rap shorelines with small jigs or crayfish imitations, and can be a great fish for impatient kids who may need a lot of action.