Largemouth Bass
Green trout, bass, black bass
-
Scientific Name:
Micropterus salmoides Freshwater
Native
Fish
- Seasons and Regulations
- Licenses/Permits
Description
Species of black bass in the sunfish family. Olive green with a series of dark blotches that form a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank. When the mouth is closed, it extends behind the eye. The largest of all black basses—can grow to 24 inches long, but 18 inches is a more common length.
Range and Habitat
Lives in many types of freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and swamps. Also found in brackish areas where rivers meet the sea. Prefers warm waters and is not usually found in deep waters due to colder temperatures. Most often live along shorelines with abundant food, cover, and nursery areas. Found throughout North America and has also been introduced in other countries to create fishing opportunities.
Behavior
Opportunistic feeders, eating a wide variety of prey. Eat small fish such as shad, sunfish, and minnows, aquatic insects, crawfish, and freshwater shrimp in upland habitats; in coastal environments, eat fish as well as marine crabs and shrimp. Roving predators, chasing and ambushing their prey. Spawn from February in south Louisiana to April in north Louisiana when waters are at least 65°F. Males find nesting sites with firm bottoms in shoreline areas with water 1 to 4 feet deep. Their coloring becomes vivid to attract females to their nests for mating. Females spawn once a year but may deposit eggs in several nests. They produce between 5,000 and 120,000 eggs. Eggs hatch in 3 to 5 days.
More Information