Food habits of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in the New River were studied to compare diet of fish in a minimum length limit regulated section (Virginia) with those in a non-length limit regulated section (West Virginia). Insects were the dominant food type by number for 152-228 mm smallmouth bass in both sections. Numerically, insects were also found to be common in smallmouth bass of several other size categories. Crayfish and fish, however, combined to form a large part of the diet of smallmouth bass greater than 228 mm. Crayfish were a more significant component of the diet of smallmouth bass in West Virginia than in Virginia in the fall 1982 sample. This may be a factor leading to low condition indices of Virginia smallmouth bass and may affect the success of the minimum length limit regulation.
