Atlantic Salmon vs Smallmouth Bass
Salmo salar compared with Micropterus dolomieu
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Salmo salar | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Order | Salmoniformes | Centrarchiformes |
| Family | Salmonidae | Centrarchidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 150.0 cm | 69.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 46.8 kg | 5.4 kg |
| Color | Silvery flanks with a blue-green back; sea-run fish are nearly spotless with a few scattered X-shaped dark spots above the lateral line and pinkish-red tones at spawning. | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | 0-210m | 1-7m |
| Geographic Range | North Atlantic Ocean from northeastern North America to western Europe, including rivers of Canada, Norway, Iceland, and the British Isles. Anadromous populations spawn in cold, … | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … |
| Habitat | Neritic | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Atlantic Salmon
Rich, buttery flesh with high omega-3 fat content and a distinctly full flavor. Versatile in the kitchen — superb grilled, poached, smoked, or served raw as sashimi.
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Species Overview
Atlantic Salmon
The Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species that migrates from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn. Renowned among fly fishers, it is also one of the most important farmed fish species globally.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.