Lake Texoma Fish Species: Smallmouth Bass The smallmouth bass is generally green with dark vertical bands rather than ahorizontal band along the side. There are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin, and the upper jaw never extends beyond the eye. Micropterus is Greek meaning "small fin" [see Guadalupe bass for further explanation]. The species epithet dolomieu refers to the French mineralogist M. Dolomieu. Angling Importance Because of its reputation in other parts