The spotted bass and many of its close relatives are some of the most sought after fish in the world. They live in many types of freshwater lakes, rivers and streams.
They feed on a wide variety of prey including fish, crawfish, frogs, insects and more. They are ambush predators and prefer structures where they lay and wait for prey items to pass within range.
Spotted bass prefer flowing waters and are usually found near cut banks and deep holes in streams and rivers. Â They are found throughout eastern and central North America and have been introduced in western states to create fishing opportunities.
An extremely diverse array of tackle has been designed to catch bass. Live bait is also popular is some regions, but hard lures, soft baits and spinnerbaits are endless in their variety and methods of use. Topwater lures are hugely popular as the visual aspect of the explosive bite is thrilling. Each fisherman has his own arsenal of favorites, and that is part of the fun.
Louisiana enjoys excellent spotted bass fishing and works hard to manage populations for anglers to enjoy. Many of our states scenic rivers offer quality spotted bass fishing opportunities to kayak and canoe-equipped anglers. Â Fishery managers want to emphasize that it is okay to keep and eat your limit of bass according to the size and bag limits put in place. Â Total catch and release is not required to be a conservation-minded angler, as some harvest of certain sizes is good for the fishery and is used as a management tool by the LDWF.