The moderately compressed body and small head of the white bass make this fish appear deep for its length. White bass are exclusively freshwater fish that prefer large, clear lakes, but are found in some large streams and rivers. Lakes in excess of 300 acres and with extensive portions of water 10 feet deep are best. White bass often travel in large schools as they feed near the surface.
White bass move to tributary streams or shoals to spawn in the spring.
The female deposits between 250,000 and 1 million heavy, adhesive eggs either near the surface or midwater in 6-7 feet of water. The eggs sink to the bottom where they stick to gravel, boulders, or vegetation. No parental care is given eggs or young, which hatch in about 2 days. White bass feed primarily on other fish and insects. They are considered a good sport fish, being hard fighters and good eating.