Sometimes confused with striped bass, white bass can be distinguished by their deeper body shape and single tooth patch on the tongue. In addition, white bass have only one of their dark stripes run the entire body length from head to tail. Spawning takes place in tributary streams, nearshore areas and over shoals. Female white bass release their eggs near the water surface. The eggs sink and attach to rocks, sticks and bottom vegetation and hatch within two to four days.
White bass are fast growing predators.
Individuals up to 17 inches long and nine years of age have been taken in Oneida Lake. White bass are known for feeding at the surface in large schools. They primarily eat insects and fish. White bass are locally popular sportfish. Their aggressive nature and schooling tendency make them one of the easiest fish to catch.