Illustration of smallmouth bass
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
Examples of smallmouth bass in a Sentence
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Juvenile smallmouth bass swam there, strongly suggesting that adult bass had survived a plunge through the dam’s hydropower plant and were breeding within striking distance of Grand Canyon and the Little Colorado’s chub sanctuary.
—
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Yakima River Canyon Stretching 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima, the Yakima River holds the coveted title of a Blue Ribbon river, recognized for its exceptional water quality and prime fishing, especially for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
And while catch and release has become popular with plenty of species from bonefish, tarpon, and permit to smallmouth bass, walleye, and even sharks, few species dominate the catch-and-release culture quite like trout.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
The Gauley is loaded with trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye, all of which are feeding heavily during the fall.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
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Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Yakima River Canyon Stretching 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima, the Yakima River holds the coveted title of a Blue Ribbon river, recognized for its exceptional water quality and prime fishing, especially for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
And while catch and release has become popular with plenty of species from bonefish, tarpon, and permit to smallmouth bass, walleye, and even sharks, few species dominate the catch-and-release culture quite like trout.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
The Gauley is loaded with trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye, all of which are feeding heavily during the fall.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smallmouth bass
Cite this Entry
“Smallmouth bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smallmouth%20bass. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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