Freshwater

White bass (sand bass)

Lobina blanca

Morone chrysops

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–2 lb.

Depth

Surface to 40 ft.

Best time

Morning and evening.

Found in

8 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Silver, deep-bodied fish with thin, dark horizontal stripes (usually unbroken) along the sides, a single tooth patch on the tongue and a small, arched back.
Typical size: 1–2 lb.
Maximum size: About 18 in and close to 7 lb.
Diet: Shad and other small fish.
Behavior: Roams in big schools chasing shad; 'jumps' (surface feeding frenzies) happen in summer and fall, and huge spring spawning runs go up rivers and creeks.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Texas & Oklahoma Lakes, Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South, Southeast Lakes, U.S. Great Lakes, Upper Midwest Lakes, Louisiana & Mississippi Delta and Ontario Great Lakes. Big rivers and reservoirs of the Mississippi, Ohio and Great Lakes basins and Texas; Lake Erie has a big population.
Habitat: Big rivers and reservoirs of the Mississippi, Ohio and Great Lakes basins and Texas; Lake Erie has a big population.
Depth: Surface to 40 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to 25 ft.
Best season: Spring spawning runs (February to April in the south); summer and fall surface jumps.
Best time: Morning and evening.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Overcast days and wind-blown points.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live minnows and shad.
Best artificial lures: Small spoons, slabs, inline spinners, small swimbaits and tail-spinners.
Tackle setup: Medium-light spinning rod.
Hook size: Size 2–1/0.
Line: 6–10 lb.
Leader: Not needed.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Slabs Swimbaits Lures

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Big rivers and reservoirs of the Mississippi, Ohio and Great Lakes basins and Texas; Lake Erie has a big population.
Rig up: Medium-light spinning rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Live minnows and shad. Lures: Small spoons, slabs, inline spinners, small swimbaits and tail-spinners.
Fish it: In spring, fish creek mouths and river shoals on the spawning run; in summer, watch for birds and surface jumps and cast into them.
Time it: Morning and evening. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: In spring, fish creek mouths and river shoals on the spawning run; in summer, watch for birds and surface jumps and cast into them.
BigJoe's tip: When you catch one, cast right back — the whole school is there.
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: Good fried when fresh; cut out the dark red line of meat for a milder taste.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp gill covers and dorsal spines.
Regulations: Liberal limits in most states; 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: Abundant.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits