Smallmouth Bass vs Summer Flounder
Micropterus dolomieu compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Micropterus dolomieu | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Centrarchiformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Centrarchidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 69.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 5.4 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | 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. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 1-7m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | 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 … | Western North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| Habitat | 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. … | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
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.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
Species Overview
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.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.