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Bass (Morone chrysops) — Moronidae

Bass

Morone chrysops
Family: Moronidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Bass (Morone chrysops) is a freshwater fish of the family Moronidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–13.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lakes and rivers of central and eastern North America.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The white bass (Morone chrysops) is a North American bass of the family Moronidae. The species has a deep, silvery-white body with several narrow, dark lengthwise stripes and spiny fins, and reaches about 45 cm. It inhabits lakes, ponds and pools of small to large rivers, usually shallower than 14 metres, and often forms large, active schools. Juveniles eat small zooplankton such as cladocerans, copepods and midge larvae; adults are predators that hunt small fishes. The white bass is a popular sport fish that is also bred into the well-known hybrid 'wiper' (a cross with the striped bass).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bass?

The Bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Silvery-white body with narrow dark stripes; basis of the hybrid sport fish 'wiper'.

Where does the Bass live?

The Bass lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lakes and rivers of central and eastern North America.

How big does the Bass get?

The Bass grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 32 cm.

Is the Bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Bass is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bass edible?

Yes, the Bass is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bass (Morone chrysops) — Moronidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Mike Cline (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Bass (Morone chrysops) — Moronidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Austin D West, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bass (Morone chrysops) — Moronidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Connie Misket, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bass (Morone chrysops) — Moronidae — 5
Brandon C Myers (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Bass verified
Scientific name
Morone chrysops
Family
Moronidae
Other names
Hybrid striped bass; White bass; White perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
31.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
13.0 verified
Natural range
Lakes and rivers of central and eastern North America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes; juveniles eat zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Silvery-white body with narrow dark stripes; basis of the hybrid sport fish 'wiper'. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with small lures, jigs or spoons on active schools, often where the fish drive baitfish up near the surface. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Morone

More from the family Moronidae

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