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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: White Bass

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Becker (1983); Page and Burr (1991); Etnier and Starnes (1993); Jenkins and Burkhead (1994).

Size: 45 cm.

Native Range: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba and south to Louisiana (Page and Burr 1991). Widespread throughout the Ohio and Mississippi drainages, the Great Lakes region, and southward to the Red River Basin (Hubbs et al. 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Intentionally stocked for sportfishing. In California, white bass were initially intentionally stocked for sport fishing in Lake Nacimiento, an area that was managed to support them and where they would not pose a threat to other vulnerable species. However, the fish mysteriously appeared in Lake Kaweah. Apparently the fish had been transported and stocked illegally. The fish then gained access to the Tulare Lake basin when Lake Kaweah flooded in 1982 and 1983 (Dill and Cordone 1997).

Status: The white bass has been reported as established locally in most areas, except in Delaware, where the species is known from a single record in 1888 and, presumably is extirpated (Raasch and Altemus 1991). Attempts to establish the species in the Youghiogheny River, Maryland and Pennsylvania, have failed (Hendricks et al. 1979, 1983).

Impact of Introduction: When stocked in the native range of the yellow bass Morone mississippiensis these two species hybridize (Fries and Harvey 1989). In Utah Lake, Utah, white bass dominate all other fish species; because they are so abundant they severely deplete the food supply (Sigler and Sigler 1987). Once white bass were in the Tulare Lake basin they could potentially reach the Delta region where several threatened and endangered fishes and important sport and commercial species could be at risk from this "voracious predator" (Dill and Cordone 1997). The state opted to conduct a chemical treatment to eradicate the bass from Lake Kaweah and downstream waters. This was one the most extensive chemical treatments ever conducted in the United States. The cost of the project was about $7.5 million (Dill and Cordone 1997). The state may need to spend several million dollars more to treat other lakes linked to the Delta. This has been a controversial issue and is still on hold due to the controversy and finances (Dill and Cordone 1997). There is now no limit to the number of white bass that may be kept by an angler. Regulations also make it illegal to possess or transport live white bass and require immediate killing of any retained fish or the immediate return of any unwanted fish into the water body from which it was taken (Dill and Cordone 1997).

Remarks: Dill and Cordone (1997) gave a fascinating account of the introduction of this species into California and the resulting fallout. This account is also a good illustration of how fish can be dispersed even when they are thought to be contained.

References: (click for full references)

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Other Resources:

Author: Fuller, P.

Peer Review Date: 5/29/2013

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.