Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides

• Largemouth bass can be recognized by the lower jaw which extends past the back edge of the eye.
• It is dark green above with silvery sides and belly.
• A dark stripe runs across its body.

• Largemouth bass have been known to reach weights of over 20 pounds.

• North America: St. Lawrence - Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins; Atlantic drainages from North Carolina to Florida and to northern Mexico. The species has been introduced widely as a game fish and is now cosmopolitan.
• Largemouth bass are found in all waters of Maryland from freshwater to brackish (a mix of fresh and saltwater) waters.

• Largemouth bass are found in all waters of Maryland from freshwater to brackish
  (a mix of fresh and saltwater) waters.
• They like large, slow moving rivers or streams with soft bottoms.
• They especially like clear water.

• Greedy carnivores (meat eating), largemouth bass feast on minnows, sunfish, gizzard shad, insects, frogs and occasionally snakes.
• Adult fish feed near water plants in shallow waters.

• Largemouth bass spawn as early as March or as late as June.
• The males build saucer shaped nests 20 - 30 inches in diameter.
• The male guards the nest and eggs from all intruders, until the fish hatch.
• Largemouth bass may live for 13 years.

• These fish are an extremely popular sport fish.
• They are excellent fighters when caught on light spinning tackle.
• Good baits for catching largemouth bass include live minnows, night crawlers, and worms.
• Popular methods of fishing are fly-fishing, bait casting, or bottom fishing.
• For current recreational size and creel limits, see Maryland's updated regulation page.

• This species is considered the most popular gamefish in the United States.
• Largemouth bass fishing tournaments have become very popular in recent years.

For information concerning largemouth bass and their management, please contact - Mary Groves at 301-888-2423 or mgroves@dnr.state.md.us