The shoal bass and the redeye bass are easily confused, even though the two have nonoverlapping ranges. Redeye bass have white margins on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin; white fin margins are absent on shoal bass. Whereas redeye bass have teeth on the tongue, shoal bass do not. Additionally, Page and Burr (1991) report that redeye bass have slightly larger scales, resulting in lower lateral line counts (64 to 73, compared to 70 to 79 in shoal bass) and a lower number of scale rows around the caudal peduncle (26 to 30, compared to 29 to 34). Adult shoal bass are olive green on the back and white on the venter. Several rows of darkened scales form distinct parallel lines along the lower sides of the body. Small individuals have along their sides several vertical, dark blotches that fade somewhat with age.
Distribution: Shoal bass are endemic to the Apalachicola River drainage in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Original Description: Williams and Burgess described the shoal bass in 1999.
Etymology: Micropterusmeans small fin.Cataractaemeans waterfalls, referring to the shoal habitat.
Habitat & Range
Shoal bass inhabit shoals and riffles of small to moderate fast-flowing streams and apparently avoid reservoirs. Carlander (1977) reports a diet of aquatic insect larvae, crayfish, and small fishes. Spawning occurs from later April into May.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black Bass — Regulations
Daily Creel Limit: 10 Notes: Includes combinations of largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Alabama, shoal and those species formerly known as “redeye” bass, which are now known separately as Coosa, Warrior, Cahaba, Tallapoosa and Chattahoochee bass, based on their respective drainages. The Alabama bass was formerly known as spotted bass in the Mobile drainage. No more than 5 of the daily creel limit of 10 may be smallmouth bass. See exceptions for shoal bass in specific tributaries of the Chattahoochee River.
Black Bass — Regulations
Daily Creel Limit: 10 Notes: Includes combinations of largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Alabama, shoal and those species formerly known as “redeye” bass, which are now known separately as Coosa, Warrior, Cahaba, Tallapoosa and Chattahoochee bass, based on their respective drainages. The Alabama bass was formerly known as spotted bass in the Mobile drainage. No more than 5 of the daily creel limit of 10 may be smallmouth bass. See exceptions for shoal bass in specific tributaries of the Chattahoochee River.
Size
12 to 18 in (305 to 460 mm).
State Record
a list of theState Record Freshwater Fish.
