| Largemouth Bass |
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Largemouth Bass |
| Micropterus salmoides |
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Key Distinguishing Markings:
- 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.
View the Largemouth Bass Gallery
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Distribution:
- Orginally, Great Lake and Mississippi River basins; the species is now found throughout North America and the world.
- Largemouth Bass is found in all waters of Maryland from freshwater to brackish (a mix of fresh and saltwater) waters.
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Size:
- Largemouth Bass has been known to reach a weight of over 20 pounds.
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Habitat:
- Largemouth Bass is 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.
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Spawning:
- Largemouth Bass spawns as early as March or as late as June, depending on water temperature.
- 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.
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Fishing Tips:
- 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 a variety of artificial lures.
- 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.
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Fun Fact:
- This species is considered the most popular sportfish in the United States.
- Largemouth Bass fishing tournaments have become very popular in recent years.
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| Family: Centrarchidae (Sunfishes) |
| Order: Perciformes (perch-likes) |
| Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) |
For information concerning largemouth bass and their management, please contact Mary Groves at 301-888-2423 or Joseph W Love at 410-260-8257.
Illustration Courtesy of Duane Rivers, USFWS
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