May. Males build the nest, mate, and then protect eggs and larval fish until they leave the nest 15 to 17 days after spawning occurs. After spawning, adult smallmouth move from spawning areas to summer foraging zones within their home range at water temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The depth of their summer zone will be determined by water clarity, available forage, and weather conditions. As water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, smallmouths move to the deepest zone in their home range. Smallmouths remain at these wintering sites in a semi dormant condition until water temperatures rise in the spring.
Smallmouth bass eat primarily crayfish throughout their lives.
When young they also eat aquatic insects zooplankton, and other aquatic invertebrates. As adults, smallmouth bass also consume juvenile and adult fish such as minnows, shiners, smelt, and other fish species. Smallmouth bass grow to five inches in their first growing season. Smallmouth bass over 12 years old have been caught in Lake Erie, but most are ages five and younger. Anglers fish for smallmouth on Lake Erie from April through October.