Smallmouth bass (micropterus dolomieu) are, like largemouth a member of the sunfish family. Many anglers consider them the hardest-fighting of all freshwater fish. There are several hatcheries that raise smallmouth in ponds for the purpose of stocking in private ponds, and these fish can be grown to six pounds or more under ideal conditions. Smallmouth do not do well when stocked into ponds containing largemouth, as the largemouth over time will outcompete the smallmouth and prevent them from spawning successfully. Smallmouth have a strong preference for crayfish as a food source and therefore do best in ponds that have chunk rock habitat.
Threadfin shad and golden shiners are also important in a smallmouth pond; these fusiform prey species are easier for the smallmouth to consume with its smaller mouth size.
