SPRINGS FIELD GUIDE
Largemouth Bass
FISH PROFILE
COMMON NAME
Largemouth Bass
Scientific name
Micropterus salmoides
FAMILY
Centrarchidae (sunfish) family
LENGTH
1-3 feet
DIET
Fish, small mammals, insects, crustaceans
FISH PROFILE
COMMON NAME
Largemouth Bass
Scientific name
Micropterus salmoides
FAMILY
Centrarchidae (sunfish) family
LENGTH
1-3 feet
DIET
Fish, small mammals, insects, crustaceans
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Largemouth bass have a very large toothless jaw that extends past the eye. They often have a dark, blotchy stripe along their side. They have two dorsal fins, located close together on the back.
RANGE, HABITAT, BEHAVIOR, AND dIET
Largemouth bass occupy nearly all freshwater habitats in Florida. Native to eastern North America, they are now widely introduced across the continent and the world. They can be found in many different water bodies such as ponds, creeks, springs, lakes, large rivers and even estuaries. Largemouth bass prefer warmer, shallower water, and in turn will travel to deeper waters in the winter months and back to shallow, warmer waters in the spring/summer.
FUN FACTS
The largemouth bass is Florida’s state freshwater fish, and one of the most popular sportfish in the US. In Florida, these fish often attain weights of ten pounds or more, attracting sport fishermen from across the country. Largemouth bass were one of only two species observed at 100% of the twelve major springs sampled in a 2010 survey of fish species in Florida springs. Mosquitofish were the other prominent fish species.
Largemouth Bass begin spawning in Florida in March; the male fish creates a bowl-shaped depression in the substrate, often near logs or plant roots. After the female lays the eggs, the male fertilizes them and guards them until they hatch and mature to free-swimming fry.