I caught this little one in my lake yesterday. I’m not sure if it is just a strange looking largemouth or maybe a smallmouth? I have never seen a smallie come out of this lake or even heard of one being caught so I’m confused as to what it could be. The colors are way different from any other bass I’ve caught here and the little black speckles are odd. Cool looking fish though. Any thoughts?

Looks like a smallmouth with black spot disease

Smallie.

Smallmouth bass, some refer to them as brown bass.

Yup, its a smallie. They dont get those pronoubced stripes when they are small. They have that solid color.

 

Micropterus dolomieu

 

Roger

Thanks! I really thought so but wasn’t sure. It’s great news. Now I need to figure out how to track down some bigger ones. 

The fish you are holding in your hands is a smallmouth bass. 

That’s a smallie and those spots are not a problem. He is not diseased. Good fishing and hope you catch more of them. Try for one 15”+. 

Well I found a few more. Not quite the size I’m hoping for but at least I’m locating them. ?

The last 2 bass you posted are also smallmouth bass.

As you've already been told, smallmouth.   I've seen those little black spots on various pan fish and bass I've caught in lakes in central Vermont.  I've been told they're parasitical cysts that are harmless to humans and have minimal effect on the fish.