OLOGY
has 69 to 73 scales along the lateral line, compared to 59 to 65 on the northern largemouth. Florida bass grow faster and reach larger sizes in warm waters than the northern largemouth, leading to its popularity in stocking efforts across the U.S.
The largemouth bass is one of the most widely distributed fishes in the world. This is due in large
part to the popularity of bass as a
sport fish, which has lead to the
introduction of largemouth bass
populations into many areas
where they are not native. Their
SPAWNING
Bass will usually spawn when they are 1-year-old, if they are at least 8 to 10 inches long. Males select a
nest site in the spring, after water temperature has stabilized above 65 to 75oF. Bass normally spawn
in water of 1 to 4 ft near shore; but nesting has been observed as deep as 20 feet, in a clear water. A shallow, circular nest is constructed by sweeping away debris to about twice the male’s body length in diameter. Hard substrates such as sand or gravel are preferred. Males normally guard the area about 6 ft around the nest. After the nest is completed the male
current range includes the U.S.,
is often observed swimming in the vicinity of the nest
South Africa, Europe, Guam, Japan, searching for a female ready to spawn.
Lebanon, New Zealand, and the
When a ripe female joins the male, they slowly
Philippines.
circle the nest, side by side. Spawning occurs with
FALL 2015
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