Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Largemouth bass are part of the sunfish family. Their range extends through central and eastern North America. In Canada they occur in southern Manitoba, Ontario, and southern Quebec. They have also been introduced to British Columbia. They are typically found in small eutrophic systems (meaning high nutrient level). They prefer lots of cover such as weeds or fallen trees. Spawning occurs in the late spring or early summer when the water temperature warms to 60-65 degrees fahrenheit. Largemouth spawn in clearings adjacent to weedy or woody structure. Like most sunfishes males build the nests, court the females, guards the fertilized eggs and the newly hatched young. Females may spawn with several males. The aggressive nature of male largemouth during spawning makes them easy targets for anglers which is one reason why seasons are often closed during spawning.

Largemouth bass grow at different rates depending on the level of productivity in the lake or river, the level of competition with other bass or other species as well as the latitude at which the population occurs at. Generally, largemouth grow faster than smallmouth bass. Young bass grow rapidly and at the end of their first year, individuals are usually between 2 and 5 inches. Maturity is reached in males between ages 3 and 4 while females mature between ages 4 and 5. Individuals can live to 15 years of age. Growth rate and maximum size is greater in females. The maximum weight for largemouth bass is typically between 6 and 8 pounds although larger individuals have been caught. The southern United States has produced several fish over 20 pounds. Fish approaching 15 pounds have been reported in Ontario.

Diet for largemouth bass varies depending on size of the individual as well as food availability. Young bass will consume primarily plankton and larval insects while adults are somewhat opportunists. Larger bass eat primarily fishes such as gizzard shad, carp, golden shiner, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, and small largemouth bass. Nevertheless, their opportunistic nature means that they will consume frogs, crayfish and aquatic insects if they are present. Largemouth bass tend to eat larger prey items than do smallmouth. This is because they have larger jaws and thus they can fit larger prey items into their mouths. People often confuse smallmouth with largemouth and the easiest way to tell the difference is that the jaws on largemouth extend past the eye while smallmouth have their jaws end prior to the eye. Largemouth bass are typically green in colour while smallmouth tend to be more bronze in colour. However, because colouration varies according to their surroundings, it should not be used to distinguish species.

Largemouth bass are a prized sportfish species. They are strong fighters and willing biters. Huge recreational fisheries have flourished in both the United States and Canada and these fisheries even surpass those for smallmouth bass. Major tournaments and derbies are held throughout the largemouth range. Largemouth bass are also good eating fish although the warm, weedy bodies of water that they live in often give the fish a less than desirable flavour. They can also be infested with numerous parasitic species.