largemouth

Largemouth bass, commonly referred to simply as largemouth, is a freshwater fish that is widely known as a sport fish. The species Micropterus salmoides belongs to Centrarchidae, the sunfish family, and is native to the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. It has been introduced widely for angling and stocking, and in some regions it is considered invasive.

Identification and appearance: The fish has an elongated body, a large mouth that extends past the eye, and a dark horizontal stripe along the middle of the body. Color ranges from olive to greenish-brown with lighter or darker markings. The dorsal fin is divided into a spiny anterior part and a soft-rayed posterior part.

Habitat and behavior: Largemouth bass favor warm, freshwater habitats with abundant vegetation or structures such as weed beds, fallen logs, or submerged rocks. They are ambush predators, feeding on fish, insects, crustaceans, and amphibians. Reproduction occurs in spring; males prepare nests in shallow water, guard the eggs, and care for fry for several days to weeks.

Size, management, and impact: Adults commonly reach 12–16 inches (30–40 cm) and can exceed 20 inches (50 cm) in favorable conditions, with weights around 5–10 pounds being typical; larger specimens are rare. Largemouth bass are a central species for recreational fishing. Management includes stocking, habitat improvement, and harvest regulations to sustain populations, though introductions can affect native fishes and ecosystems where they are not native.