Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Largemouth Basses love to clamp their large mouths down on other fishes, and anglers often go after this popular catch with live bait. They belong to the sunfish and bass family, Centrarchidae. Centrarchids are native to warm freshwater areas of North America and have been introduced throughout much of the continent. They are compressed, oval-shaped, spiny-rayed fishes with a continuous dorsal fin. Most live in lakes and streams, where their round, pebbly nests are a common sight in spring and summer.

Look For : A greenish bass with a broad stripe along the side that becomes more solid and continuous at the base of the tail. Dorsal fin deeply notched. Mouth extends behind eye in large fishes.

Length : 27".

Habitat : Weedy parts of lakes, ponds, streams.

Range : Southern Canada and throughout U.S. (native in East, introduced elsewhere).