Largemouth Bass
(Micropterus salmoides)
How do you identify a largemouth bass?
The largemouth bass is gray, olive green, and silver with a dark stripe along each side. The largemouth bass looks a lot like the smallmouth bass. The distinguishing characteristic is the size of the mouth. On the largemouth, the back of the mouth goes past the back of the eye. On the smallmouth, the back of the mouth goes to the middle of the eye.
What family of fish does the largemouth bass belong to?
Most people are not aware that bass are actually a member of the sunfish family. Other members of the sunfish family include white and black crappies and what we typically think of as sunfish, the bluegill and green sunfish.
How big can a largemouth bass get?
The average length of a largemouth bass is about 14 inches and around 2 to 3 pounds. They will reach this size in the first 3-5 years. The Minnesota state record for a largemouth bass is 10 lbs 2 oz!
Where do largemouth bass live?
Largemouth bass prefer quiet, clear streams, ponds, and lakes with aquatic vegetation for cover.
What do largemouth bass eat?
Largemouth bass eat aquatic insects, other fish, frogs, and snakes. They have also been known to eat ducklings! Largemouth bass are preyed upon by larger fish including other bass, walleyes, northern pike and muskies.
Do largemouth bass care for their young?
Yes. As in other sunfish species, the male prepares, defends and cares for the nest and embryos. Once the embryos hatch, they spend another week in the nest while they continue to develop. Finally, they leave the nest and begin feeding. At this point, most young of the sunfish family would swim away alone. But largemouth young continue to swim together in a brood swarm for the next 3 to 4 weeks. The male largemouth bass protects this swarm until the young are ready to venture out on their own.
How long can a largemouth bass live?
A largemouth bass can live up to 15 years, but most do not live past 10 years.
The information above is common scientific knowledge. For a list of specific resources, visit the Animal FAQ Resources page.
