Editing Smallmouth bass (section)

==Angling==
{{fly fishing targets}}
{{Main|Bass fishing}}
[[Image:Micropterus dolomieu2.jpg|thumb|200px|Illustration of a group of smallmouth bass]]
[[Image:RainyRiverSmallmouthBass.jpg|thumb|200px|Smallmouth bass from the [[Rainy River (Minnesota–Ontario)|Rainy River]] near [[International Falls, Minnesota]] (Released) ]]
[[Image:SmallMouthBassEagleL.jpg|thumb|200px|Smallmouth bass from [[Eagle Lake (Ontario)|Eagle Lake]] in [[Ontario]], Canada (Released) ]]
In the United States, smallmouth bass were first introduced outside of their native range with the construction of the [[Erie Canal]] in 1825, extending the fish's range into central New York state. During the mid-to-late 19th century, smallmouth were transplanted via the nation's rail system to lakes and rivers throughout the northern and western United States, as far as California. Shippers found that smallmouth bass were a hardy species that could be transported in buckets or barrels by rail, sometimes using the spigots from the railroad water tanks to aerate the fingerlings. They were introduced east of the Appalachians just before the Civil War, and afterwards transplanted to the states of New England.<ref name="Ryan, Will 1996">Ryan, Will, ''Smallmouth Strategies for the Fly Rod'', Lyons & Burford Publishers (1996)</ref><ref name="Waterman">Waterman, Charles F., ''Black Bass & the Fly Rod'', Stackpole Books (1993)</ref>

With increased industrialization and land use changes, many of the nation's eastern trout rivers were polluted or experienced elevated water temperatures, reducing the range of native [[brook trout]]. Smallmouth bass were often introduced to northern rivers with increased water temperatures and slowly became a popular gamefish with many anglers. Equally adaptable to large, cool-water impoundments and reservoirs, the smallmouth also spread far beyond its original native range. Later, smallmouth populations also began to decline after years of damage caused by overdevelopment and pollution, as well as a loss of river habitat caused by damming many formerly wild rivers to form lakes or reservoirs. In recent years, a renewed emphasis on preserving water quality and riparian habitat in the nation's rivers and lakes, together with stricter management practices, eventually benefited smallmouth populations and has caused a resurgence in their popularity with anglers.<ref name="Ryan, Will 1996"/><ref name="Waterman" />

Today, smallmouth bass are very popular [[game fish]], frequently sought by anglers using conventional [[fishing reel|spinning]] and bait casting gear, as well as [[fly fishing]] tackle.<ref name="ReferenceA">Murray, Harry, ''Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass'', Lyons Press, 1989</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">Kreh, Lefty, ''Fly Fishing for Bass'', Lyons Press, 2004</ref> The smallmouth bass is potentially the toughest fighting freshwater fish in North America, and is commonly the targeted species in many fresh water fishing tournaments.<ref>Retrieved 2013 - [http://www.fishingtipsdepot.com/bass-fishing-tips.php Bass Fishing Information] - Smallmouth and Largemouth Specific</ref> In addition to wild populations, the smallmouth bass is stocked in cool rivers and lakes throughout Canada and the United States. In shallow streams, it is a wary fish, though usually not to the extent of most trout. The smallmouth is highly regarded for its topwater fighting ability when hooked – old fishing journals referred to the smallmouth bass as "ounce for ounce and pound for pound the gamest fish that swims".<ref>Henshall, James (Dr.), ''Book of the Black Bass'' (1881)</ref> Smallmouth bass are not usually taken for the table, but rather are caught and released by most anglers. However, smaller specimens in cooler water often have higher quality filets of white, firm flesh when cooked.<ref>[http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/fish_smallmouth_bass.shtml Arizona Game & Fish Department, ''Smallmouth Bass''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718130656/http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/fish_smallmouth_bass.shtml |date=2011-07-18 }}</ref>

The current all-tackle world record for a smallmouth bass is 11&nbsp;lb 15 oz, caught by David Hayes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/common-name/Bass,%20smallmouth|title= IGFA Smallmouth Bass All-Tackle World Record - bass, smallmouth (''Micropterus dolomieu'')|publisher=International Game Fish Association}}</ref> in the [[Dale Hollow Reservoir]], on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, in 1955.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bassmaster.com/news/case-david-hayes|title=60 years ago today: World-record smallmouth caught|website=Bassmaster|date=9 July 2015}}</ref>

===Tackle===
In conventional fishing, smallmouth may be successfully caught on a wide range of natural and artificial baits or lures, including [[Plugs (fishing)|crankbaits]], hair jigs, plastic jerkbaits, artificial worms, [[spinnerbait]]s, and all types of soft plastic lures, including curly tail grubs or tubes with lead head jigs. Spinning reels or baitcasting reels may be used, with line strengths of 6 to 15 pounds typically utilized. According to many, smallmouth typically put up a better, more exciting fight than any other [[black bass]]. Rods are usually of ultralight to medium-heavy action. They may also be caught with a [[fishing rod|fly rod]] using a dry or wet [[artificial fly]], nymphs, streamers, or imitations of larger aquatic creatures, such as [[dobsonfly|hellgrammites]], crawfish, or leeches. Floating topwater popper fly patterns and buzz baits are also popular for smallmouth fishing.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>

For river fishing, spinning tackle or fly tackle has been the most popular [[angling]] tools for smallmouth in North America for many years. When fishing in colder water, it is believed to be more effective to fish with smaller lures like hair jigs or small spinners. During the rest of the year, smallmouth are usually taken using soft plastic tubes or spinnerbaits. The best spots in rivers to fish for smallmouth are behind rocks or in eddies, where water swirls around. Smallmouth can also be taken in cool lakes like Lake Erie or any of the northern lakes.