smallmouth bass

noun

small·​mouth bass ˈsmȯl-ˌmau̇th- 

: a black bass (Micropterus dolomieu) of clear rivers and lakes that is bronzy-green above and lighter below and has the vertex of the angle of the jaw falling below the eye

called also smallmouth, smallmouth black bass

Illustration of smallmouth bass

Examples of smallmouth bass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024 and 2025, the Bureau of Reclamation poured colder water through the dam’s river bypass tubes — a deeper outlet than the hydropower intakes — to prevent smallmouth bass from spawning there. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026

People snare smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bream and lake trout there. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026

Anglers may be pleased with the smallmouth bass population in the upper reaches of the river or the largemouth bass and catfish in the lower reaches. — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026

From Basswood Lake, it may be assumed, smallmouth bass entered Crooked Lake by way of Basswood Falls. — Hank Bradshaw, Outdoor Life, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for smallmouth bass

• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras
• superclass

Kids Definition

smallmouth bass

noun

small·​mouth bass ˌsmȯl-ˌmau̇th- 

: a black bass that lives in clear rivers and lakes and is bronze green above and lighter below

called also smallmouth black bass