Freshwater

Yellow bass (striper)

Lobina amarilla

Morone mississippiensis

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

6–10 in and under ½ lb.

Depth

5–30 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

5 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Small brassy-yellow fish with bold black stripes that are broken and offset below the middle of the body; the two dorsal fins are joined at the base.
Typical size: 6–10 in and under ½ lb.
Maximum size: About 1 ft and around 2 lb.
Diet: Small fish, insects and zooplankton.
Behavior: Schools tightly; where you catch one, you can catch many.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South, Texas & Oklahoma Lakes, Louisiana & Mississippi Delta and Upper Midwest Lakes. Lakes, reservoirs and backwaters of the Mississippi basin from Minnesota and Iowa to Louisiana and east Texas.
Habitat: Lakes, reservoirs and backwaters of the Mississippi basin from Minnesota and Iowa to Louisiana and east Texas.
Depth: 5–30 ft.
Fishing depth: 5–20 ft.
Best season: Spring and summer; good through the ice in some northern lakes.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Any.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Line Jigs Bobbers Hooks Bait Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Lakes, reservoirs and backwaters of the Mississippi basin from Minnesota and Iowa to Louisiana and east Texas.
Rig up: Ultralight spinning rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Minnows, worms and cut bait. Lures: Small jigs, spoons and spinners.
Fish it: Find a school and jig small lures or minnows through it.
Time it: Daytime. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Find a school and jig small lures or minnows through it.
BigJoe's tip: Good fun for kids — fast action once you find a school.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Sweet, white meat; great fried.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp spines.
Regulations: Usually no limit or a liberal limit; check local rules. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Conservation: Can overpopulate and stunt in some lakes.

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Sources & photo credits