The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae). The seven species in genus Micropterus are known as the black basses. Micropterus dolomieu is the type species of its genus, and can be distinguished from its congenitor, the large mouth bass, (M. salmoides) by the feature that the back end of its lower jaw does not extend past its eye orbit. Smallmouth bass are also known as bronzeback, brown bass, brownie, smallie, bronze bass, and bareback bass. Native to the great lakes region, the smallmouth bass is a popular game fish throughout temperate North America, as a strong fighter with good tasting flesh. It has been spread as a recreational stock fish to many cool-water tributaries and lakes in the United States and Canada, and also throughout the world. Smallmouth bass mature at three to four years of age. Anglers usually catch fish 8 to 15 inches long and weighing less than three pounds, however, the current world record was caught at Dale Hollow Reservoir in 1955, weighing in at 11 lbs, 15 oz.

(Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2011; Wikipedia 2011; Wikipedia 2012)