Tackle Trade World - February 2024

DBW...
GREAT LAKES
t a r g e t
s p e c i e s
T o p T h r e e
F i s h
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus
dolomieu)
One of the black bass species, the smallmouth bass has a
pale brown or olive green body. Adult smallmouth bass
can grow up to 26 inches long, but most are eight to
22 inches. Their body is pale brown or olive green, and
features a number of small, dusky brown blotches and
five to 15 indistinct lateral bars. Unlike the largemouth
bass, the lower jaw does not extend past its eye.
The smallmouth bass is potentially the toughest
fighting freshwater fish in North America, and is
commonly the targeted species in many freshwater
fishing tournaments. The current all-tackle world record
11lb 15oz.
Walleye (Sander vitreus)
The walleye is a freshwater fish in the perch family that
is a popular and commonly stocked game fish. Long
and thin, primarily gold and olive in colour, with a white
belly, they have two dorsal fins – one of which is spiny.
The mouth is large with sharp teeth, and it has low-light
vision that helps it find prey at night.
Walleye weigh up to 10 to 20lb (4.5 to 9kg) and the
IGFA all tackle record is 25lb 0oz (11.34kg).
Crappie (Pomoxis)
One of a group of species known as panfish, the crappie
is widely considered to be among the best tasting
freshwater fish, one of the most fun to catch and a very
popular North American game fish.
The white crappie is lighter in colour with vertical
black stripes, while the black crappie is darker with a
pattern of black spots. Both species are similar in size,
shape, and habits. The average crappie weighs up to
around 1lb and measures up to 12 inches, though they
are capable of growing much larger.
Popular as food and prized by sport fishermen, they
are native to the eastern United States but have been
introduced elsewhere.
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