Spotted bass tend to be found in areas with more current than largemouth bass. However, they usually inhabit areas that are too warm, turbid, and sluggish for smallmouth bass. In general, although a large proportion reach maturity within a year, spotted bass found in spawning areas are usually three to four years old. Rock or gravel are usually chosen as suitable spawning areas at water temperatures of 57-74 F. Nest depths may vary widely. Females may lay between 1,150 and 47,000 eggs.
Males guard the eggs during incubation, and for up to four weeks after they have hatched.
As young fish grow their diet shifts from zooplankton, to insects, and finally to fish and crayfish. Distribution Spotted bass are distributed throughout the Ohio River basin as well as the central and lower Mississippi River basin. The species may be found in Gulf coast states from Texas east to Florida. In Texas spotted bass are native to portions of east Texas from the Guadalupe River to the Red River, exclusive of the Edwards Plateau region. Spotted bass are very popular in east Texas, particularly in the Sabine, Neches, and Cypress Rivers.