SCIENTIFIC NAME: Micropterus salmoides
CHARACTERISTICS: The largemouth bass is a heavy-bodied fish with 56 to 70 lateral line scales and a large mouth, with the upper jaw usually extending past the rear margin of the eye. The area between the spiny and soft dorsal fin is deeply notched; the anterior part contains nine to 11 spines, the posterior part 12 to 14 rays. The anal fin has three spines and 10 to 12 rays. Dorsal and anal fin bases are usually scaleless or only marginally scaled. The tongue lacks teeth. The back is olive green to brown, and the greenish sides are marked with a broad black band composed of somewhat oval blotches connected by shorter blotches. The venter is white, and between it and the lateral stripe are several rows of scales with darkened center, giving the fish a striped appearance. The dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins are varying shades of green; pelvic and anal fins are clear to white.

ADULT SIZE: 12 to 30 inches (300 to 762 mm).
DISTRIBUTION: Native populations of Micropterus salmoides occur throughout the eastern United States. Extensive stockings of the Florida subspecies, M. s. floridanus, and the mainland subspecies, M. s. salmoides, have expanded the range of this species from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and from southern Canada into Mexico. The Florida subspecies of largemouth bass has been selectively stocked in Alabama since 1971 and continues to be stocked by state and private fisheries biologists.

HABITAT AND BIOLOGY: Largemouth bass occupy many aquatic habitats in the North America. Thriving in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, they are more tolerant of turbidity and slack current than are other Micropterus species. Spawning occurs from March to late May, when water temperatures reach 63º to 68ºF (17º to 20ºC).

Largemouth bass prey upon bluegills and redear sunfish in stocked ponds and upon shad, minnows, smaller sunfishes, crayfishes, and amphibians in natural habitats. Etnier and Starnes (1993) report an average life span of 10 to 12 years in Tennessee. Studies by biologists for the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division indicate similar maximum ages in Alabama.

REMARKS: The largemouth bass is the primary target species of most recreational and tournament bass anglers in North America.

ADDITIONAL COMMON NAMES: In the southeast, anglers also call largemouth bass: bigmouth bass, bucketmouth bass, openmouth bass, hog, hawg, lineside, bigmouth trout, green trout, pond trout, lake trout, chub, greenbass, Oswego bass, and Welshman, according to Cloutman and Olmstead in Fisheries.

SPOTTED BASS: The spotted bass looks very much like the largemouth bass. However, the spotted bass has a dark spot on the gill cover and spots or streaks on the lower side of the body. The mouth, when closed, does not extend beyond the eye. Also, the spotted bass has a rough tongue patch located in the middle of the tongue while largemouth bass lack the tongue patch.

SPOTTED BASS (Micropterus punctulatus)
RANGE AND HABITAT: Spotted bass are native to Ohio, but occur only in the low gradient streams in southern Ohio, particularly the tributaries of the Ohio River.

LIFE HISTORY: Spotted bass spawn between mid-April and mid-June. The males construct nests over rocky or gravely substrate near cover. Females lay between 1,100 and 47,000 eggs. Males guard the eggs and fry from short time. Spotted bass feed primarily on microscopic animals, insects, crayfish, and fishes depending on their size and availability of forage.

ADULT SIZE: Spotted bass are usually less than one pound. However, the state record fish weighed 5 pounds and 4 ounces and measured 21 inches in length.

FISHING METHODS: Spotted bass can be caught on a wide variety of natural and artificial baits using casting, spinning and fly fishing gear. The best time of year to catch spotted bass is May, June, and July, but they can be caught throughout the year.

DESCRIPTION
Micropterus is Greek meaning "small fin" [see Guadalupe bass for further explanation]. The species epithet punctulatus, Latin for "dotted", refers to rows of dark spots on the lower sides. Coloration is similar to that of Guadalupe bass, but does not extend as low on the body. Spotted bass are not nearly so large and numerous as largemouth bass (in Texas their maximum size is less than one-third that of largemouth bass). Known maximum size in Texas exceeds 5.5 pounds.

LIFE HISTORY
Although a large proportion reach maturity within a year, spotted bass found in spawning areas are usually three to four years old. Rock and gravel are usually chosen as suitable spawning areas at water temperatures of 57-74°F. Nest depths may vary widely. Females may lay between 1,150 and 47,000 eggs. Males guard the eggs during incubation and for up to four weeks after they have hatched. As young fish grow their diet shifts from zooplankton to insects, and finally to fish and crayfish.

HABITAT
Spotted bass seem to be segregated by habitat type from closely related species. They tend to be found in areas with more current than largemouth bass, and they usually inhabit areas that are too warm, turbid, and sluggish for smallmouth bass.

DISTRIBUTION
Spotted bass are distributed throughout the Ohio River basin as well as the central and lower Mississippi River basin. The species may be found in Gulf Coast states from Texas east to Florida. Spotted bass are native to portions of East Texas from the Guadalupe River to the Red River, exclusive of the Edwards Plateau region.

OTHER
Despite the fact that spotted bass are not nearly so large and numerous as largemouth bass (in Texas their maximum size is less than one-third that of largemouth bass), they are excellent fighters. Spotted bass are very popular in east Texas, particularly in the Sabine, Neches, and Cypress Rivers. Known maximum size in Texas exceeds 5.5 pounds.