Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a fish native to the Great Lakes system and the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. M. dolomieu prefers cooler waters found in clear lakes, streams, and reservoirs. This predator spawns in the spring with males creating and guarding nests. It is one of the most popular and economically important sport fish in North America. The history of invasiveness is high. There is a long history of introductions in the western United States, southern Africa, Europe, and Japan, primarily to create a recreational fishery. Some of the introductions have resulted in established wild populations. The impacts of those introductions include hybridization with native Micropterus sp., changes in invertebrate communities, and native fish species population reductions and extirpations. M. dolomieu can be infected with, and potentially spread, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS). The climate match is high. Virtually all of the contiguous United States had a high match. The certainty of assessment is high. The overall risk assessment category for Micropterus dolomieu is high.
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High Risk
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