Species profile
Shoal Bass
Micropterus cataractae
At a glance
Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae) is an IUCN Near Threatened bony-fish species regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 130 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Georgia, Alabama, and Florida the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- First described as a distinct species in 1999, one of the most recently recognized bass.
- Native only to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system in Georgia and Florida.
- Prefers fast, rocky shoals rather than the calm water favored by largemouth bass.
- Typically weighs 1–3 pounds, though rare individuals can exceed 8 pounds.
- Feeds heavily on insects, crayfish, and small fish in swift current.
Where Shoal Bass are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Shoal Bass
Background
The shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. One of the black basses, it is native to subtropical waters in Florida and Georgia. It is also occasionally found in rivers and streams of East Alabama where it has been declared an endangered species and cannot legally be kept if caught by fishermen. Of typical size…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Shoal Bass article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.