White Bass fishing

Morone chrysops

About White Bass

A schooling reservoir fish, famous for the explosive spring spawning run up tributaries. When the run is on you can catch one on almost every cast, then the shoal moves and the same spot goes dead for an hour. Small white or chartreuse jigs and little spoons cover water fast, which is exactly what this fishing asks for. Through summer the schools work open reservoir water and give themselves away by pushing bait up in a boil.

Typical size: Usually 0.3-1 kg. Record (approx.): ≈ 3 kg.

Season, time and habitat

Best season

Apr-May

Best time

Day

Habitat

Lake, River

Season by month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.

Lures and baits that work

Spoon Cast out and retrieve at a steady pace so the spoon flashes and wobbles. Vary the speed and let it flutter down between turns. Check price on Amazon

Soft-plastic jig Let the jig sink to the bottom and work it with small lifts and pauses. Stay in contact with the line; takes usually come on the drop. Check price on Amazon

Spinner Reel just fast enough to keep the blade spinning from the off. Work it along weed edges, rocks and current seams, shallow or deep. Check price on Amazon

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Waters where White Bass bites

Lake Winnebago Wisconsin

Open a water for live weather, water temperature and today's odds.

Find waters where White Bass is biting now

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Common questions

When is the best time to catch White Bass?

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. The best windows in the day are usually day.

What lures and baits work for White Bass?

Effective methods for White Bass include Spoon, Soft-plastic jig and Spinner.

Where can you catch White Bass?

White Bass is most often found in lake, river. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.