The number of offspring that reached the free-swimming larva state of development was used to estimate the reproductive success of individual male smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui. The influence on reproductive success of 13 variables in the nesting environment was analysed. Principal components analysis produced new independent predictor variables. Multiple-regression analysis of a reduced subset of predictor variables indicated that the accumulated hours of strong wind (greater than 28 km˙h−1) blowing during embryo development significantly influenced offspring numbers in nests. Fewer offspring were found in nests subject to more wind. The material in the bottom of the nest influenced reproductive success to a lesser degree.