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White Bass: Identification, Habitat, Diet, and Conservation

Learn about the identification, habitat, diet, and conservation status of White Bass (Morone chrysops) in Iowa. This popular sport fish is known for its fight, easy catch, and good taste.

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White Bass: Identification, Habitat, Diet, and Conservation

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  1. White BassMorone chrysops

  2. Identification • Laterally compressed • Color – blue/gray to silvery • Incomplete black lines or stripes run horizontally • White belly • Double dorsal fine • Spiny in front, 9 spines • Soft rayed in back • 1-3 pounds

  3. Distribution • Native to the central U.S. west of the Appalachians • Including the Great lakes, Ohio and Mississippi River valleys • Found throughout the state in medium to large rivers • Most of Iowa’s larger lakes and Reservoirs

  4. Habitat • Open water • Often found roaming large open waters in large schools • Ideal temp 65-75 degrees F • Clear water • Firm bottom • Less than 30 feet deep

  5. Diet • Small fish • Gizzard shad • Threadfin shad • Larger insects • Juveniles feed on small invertebrates

  6. Reproduction • Spawn in late April and May • Migrate up tributary streams • Females broadcast eggs in open water • Fertilized by males in the open water • Eggs hatch in two weeks

  7. Conservation Status • Common to Iowa waters • State record 3 pounds 14 ounces from West Okoboji • Population overall is stable • High or no bag limits in most waters • Mississippi River bag limit is 25 per day • No bag limit in other waters of the state

  8. Economic and Recreational Importance • 5th most preferred species among Texas anglers • Popular sport fish in Iowa • Fight hard • Easy to catch • Taste good

  9. Ecological Importance • Important predator • Juveniles are often preyed upon by larger white bass and other predators

  10. References • http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/species/wtb/wtb.htm Nov. 5 2004 • http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/whb-card.htm Nov. 5 2004 • http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/aquanotes-fishid/whtebass.htm Nov. 5 2004

  11. Striped Bass x white bass hybrid (Morone chrysops x Morone chrysops hybrid)by: Matt Hangsleben Identification:deep flat body, small head and distinct back arch of white bass; dark gray or blue silvery body and thick dark longitudinal body stripes of ocean striped bass. WiperWhite Bass 2 tongue patches tongue patch Stripes distinct & broken stripes often faint Seldom exceeds 10 lbs seldom exceeds 3 lbs 1st stripe below lateral line 1st stripe below lateral line Complete not distinct or complete

  12. Striped Bass x white bass hybrid (Morone chrysops x Morone chrysops hybrid) Distribution:Pool 14 of Mississippi River, Saylorville Reservoir and Des Moines River, Red Rock, Big Creek Habitat: slow moving streams, large reservoirs, lakes, ponds, pelagic Diet:gizzard shad, silversides, sunfish, insects, zooplankton and crustaceans Reproduction: temps 15-20 C, 160,000 eggs per lb, males 2 yrs, female 3 yrs

  13. Striped Bass x white bass hybrid (Morone chrysops x Morone chrysops hybrid) Conservation Status: Abundant, stocked, not endangered Economic/ Recreational: Sport fish, 4 aquaculture producers in Iowa, replacing striped bass in food fish industry Iowa DNR Ecological Importance: Shad control Other: 18 pounds, 15 ounces, feed in schools

  14. References Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 1994. Iowa DNR Fish and Fishing Available at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/iafish.html. August 2004 Hodson, R.G. Hybrid striped bass biology and life history. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. Available at http://aquanic.org/publicat/usda_rac/efs/srac/300fs.pdf. July 1989 Hodson, R.G. and M. Hayes. Hybrid striped bass pond production and foodfish. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. Available at http://aquanic.org/publicat/usda_rac/efs/srac/303fs.pdf. July 1989. Alabama Department of Natural Resources. 2004. Fishing. Available at http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/fishing/freshwater/fish/basstemperate/hybrid.cfm

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