Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
For largemouth bass, length limit is a 14-21” slot. Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 21 inches or greater may be retained. For smallmouth bass (if present), minimum length limit = 14 inches. No minimum length limit on Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass (if present.) Daily bag limit for all black bass species is 5 in any combination.
Gear restriction: Fishing by pole and line only. No gas-powered motors; electric trolling motors allowed.
Identify your catch
Green to bronze coloration with dark vertical markings. Upper jaw ends at or before the eye rather than extending behind it. Avoid identifying hybrids from one feature alone.
Habitat on Wheeler Branch
Clear water, flooded trees, rock outcrops, rocky shorelines and brush piles provide habitat.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: TPWD describes seasonal bass around shoreline cover and deeper structure, channel catfish drift fishing with shad, and walleye close to bottom around rocky or sandy areas.
Fishing guidance describes documented approaches, not a promise of fish activity today.
No active lake-specific advisory or possession ban was named in the reviewed DSHS directory. This does not guarantee that fish are safe to eat.
Harvest permission and eating restrictions are separate.
General species guide
Prefers clear, deeper lakes and cool streams with gravel. Young feed on small invertebrates; larger fish take fish and crayfish.
General Smallmouth Bass profile →Sources & lake evidence
TPWD lake guide and reviewed fisheries evidence establish the listed species or group. Historical survey records do not establish current abundance.
Lake harvest rules ↗Eating guidance ↗Lake habitat & fishing guide ↗Fisheries survey · species evidence ↗Species identification ↗