Largemouth Bass

Also referred to as black bass, wide mouth bass, green trout, or line side bass, can grow up to 4-6 inches their first year, 8-12 inches in their second year, and up to 16 inches in three years. Now of coarse these are just general figures, it can differ habitat to habitat. Their colors range from a dark green on the top side to almost white in most cases on their bottom side. Large mouth also have a black stripe horizontally on their sides.

Except for humans, adult large mouth bass are the top predators in the aquatic ecosystem. Fry feed primarily on zooplankton and insect larvae. At about two inches in length they become active predators. Adults feed almost exclusively on other fish and large invertebrates such as crayfish. Larger fish prey upon smaller bass.


Generally spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach about 60°F. This could occur as early as February or as late as May, depending one where one is in the country. Males build the nests in two to eight feet of water. Large mouth bass prefer to nest in quieter, more vegetated water than other black bass, but will use any substrate besides soft mud, including submerged logs. As in Guadalupe bass, once the female has laid eggs in the nest (2,000 to 43,000) she is chased away by the male who then guards the precious eggs. The young, called fry, hatch in five to ten days. Fry remain in a group or "school" near the nest and under the male's watch for several days after hatching. Their lifespan is on average 16 years. Large mouth bass seek protective cover such as logs, rock ledges, vegetation, and man-made structures. They prefer clear quiet water, but will survive quite well in a variety of habitats.