Anglers should focus on locating shad schools. Unlike other popular game fish species in Oklahoma like bass and crappie that can be predicably found in particular underwater habitat, white bass are always on the move. Their reliance on shad as a primary food source neccesitates a transient lifestyle. Adults prefer open water during the day and shallow sandy shoals at night. These fish usually travel in large schools. ![]() Most white bass average between a half-pound and pound-and-a-half, with potential growth up to five pounds, but rarely exceed three-and-a-half-pounds. It also has only one tongue patch (round or heart-shaped). ![]() White bass can be identified by the distinctive arched back just behind its head. White bass are most active during dawn and dusk. They spend most of their lives chasing schools of shad, which are their favorite food. White bass are a migratory open‐water fish. White bass are a member of the temperate bass family, which includes the striped bass, hybrid striped bass, yellow bass, and white perch. Game Wardens can provide the most up-to-date information on spawning white bass runs in their county.Īlthough native to Oklahoma, white bass were not found in great numbers until large reservoirs were constructed. On a given body of water, there's typically a one to three week window when white bass fishing is excellent. Once water temperatures in the lake hit 50˚F, public access sites along creeks and rivers are great places for bank anglers to target white bass.įor boat anglers, start fishing efforts at the mouths of inflowing tributaries and follow the white bass upstream. It's best during these times to stick to staging areas at the mouths of inflows or physical barriers that prevent upstream migration. White bass prefer to spawn up inflowing creeks and rivers on a given body of water, but many lakes only have small tributaries necessitating modest rainfall to push the fish upstream. Fish will move as far upstream as water flow allows until satisfactory spawning habitat is found.ĭuring springs with low water levels or lack of rain, spawning schools will be sporadic making for inconsistent fishing days in primetime spots. Moderate rainfall and water temperatures between 55°-60☏ are key to a prolific river or creek white bass run on a given body of water. Longtime white bass anglers claim that the white bass spawning run begins when the redbud trees begin to bloom. White bass typically start their spawning routine before the other spring spawning fishes in the state. White bass require very basic fishing equipment making them an easy target for anglers of all experience levels! These prolific spawning fish make their annual migration runs in the thousands giving anglers the opportunity to catch fish in bulk. The white bass is a fan favorite of springtime anglers.
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