Smallmouth Bass vs Walleye
Micropterus dolomieu compared with Sander vitreus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Micropterus dolomieu | Sander vitreus |
| Order | Centrarchiformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Centrarchidae | Percidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 69.0 cm | 107.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 5.4 kg | 11.3 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. | Golden-olive to brassy-yellow flanks with a mottled pattern of saddle-like dark blotches; distinctive white tip on lower tail lobe; large glassy eyes with reflective tapetum. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Brackish |
| Depth Range | 1-7m | 0-27m |
| 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 … | Native to Canada and the northern United States, including the Great Lakes basin and major river drainages such as the Missouri and Ohio rivers. Introduced … |
| 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. … | Freshwater lakes and rivers of North America east of the Rockies, from Canada to Tennessee. Inhabits clear, deep lakes and large rivers over sand and … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Smallmouth Bass | Walleye |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| 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.
Walleye
Considered one of the best-tasting freshwater fish; sweet, flaky white flesh with very low fat. Ideal pan-fried, battered, or baked — a North American culinary favorite.
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.
Walleye
The walleye is the largest member of the perch family and the most sought-after freshwater food fish in North America. Its reflective eyes give it exceptional low-light vision, making dawn and dusk prime feeding times.