Largemouth Bass

Description:

Largemouth bass grow 4 to 6 inches during their first year, 8 to 12 inches in two years, 16 inches in three years. They are usually green with dark blotches that form a horizontal stripe along the middle of the fish on either side. The underside ranges in color from light green to almost white. They have a nearly divided dorsal fin with the anterior portion containing nine spines and the posterior portion containing 12 to 13 soft rays. Their upper jaw reaches far beyond the rear margin of the eye. The Largemouth spawns when water temperatures reach approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit in late May to early June in New York. Males build nests 2-3 feet in diameter by sweeping the bottom. The nests are usually constructed in 1 to 4 feet of water. Males entice females into the nest by circling and nipping them. The eggs normally hatch in 3 to 5 days depending upon temperature. The male will guard the eggs and the young until they are approximately 0.75 inch long and the school of fry breaks up; after that they are considered food. Largemouths achieve maturity at age 5, and can live as long as 15 years. Adults feed almost exclusively on other fish and large invertebrates such as crayfish. Larger fish prey upon smaller bass.

Habitat:

They inhabit dense aquatic vegetation, or lie close to submerged cover such as stumps, logs, dock pilings, etc. They prefer warm, shallow, weedy portions of lakes and sluggish rivers and streams. These weedy areas provide both protection and food supplies in the form of forage fish. Water areas of 20 feet or less in depth are optimum.