Overview
The yellow bass resembles its close relative, the white bass (Morone chrysops), but can be recognized by its golden yellow sides and more irregular stripes (of the 6 7 stripes the 3 4 that lie below the lateral line are broken or interrupted toward the tail.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Moronidae
- Genus
- Morone
- Species
- mississippiensis
Habitat
The yellow bass can be found in quiet pools and backwaters of large streams, lakes, and reservoirs from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan south to Louisiana, eastern Texas, and the lower Coosa and Mobile Bay drainages. It is relatively confined to the central Mississippi Valley area and has not been extensively transplanted, though it has been introduced to some degree into other areas of the states within its native range as well as Arizona.
Diet
Zooplankton, Small Crustaceans, Insects, Small Fish.
Behavior
Yellow bass are schooling fish that form large groups, especially in open waters, which helps them evade predators and forage efficiently. They are primarily diurnal, being most active during the day when they feed aggressively, and tend to seek shelter in vegetation or deeper waters at night. This schooling behavior also influences their migration patterns, as they move to warmer areas in winter and shallower zones in summer for feeding.
Fishing
The yellow bass is a scrappy fighter and a popular species among light tackle and panfish anglers. Due to there relatively small size, they're not as highly sought after by anglers, but still make for a nice fight. The flesh is white, flaky and better tasting than the white bass.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.