Largemouth Bass

The Largemouth Bass is a freshwater gamefish native to the eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada and northern Mexico. The Largemouth Bass has an average lifespan of 10 to 16 years and can reach a maximum recorded overall length of 29.5 in (74.9 cm) and a maximum unofficial weight of 25.1 lb (11.3 kg). Bernard Germain de Lacépède was the first to describe the Largemouth Bass in 1802, giving it the name Labrus Salmoides. The juvenile Largemouth Bass consumes mostly small bait fish, scuds, water fleas, copepods, small shrimp, and insects. Adults consume smaller fish, shad, worms, snails, crayfish, frogs, snakes, salamanders, bats and even small water birds, mammals, turtle hatchlings, and alligator hatchlings. Prey items can be as large as 50% of the bass's body length or larger. Largemouth bass are a highly sought after angling fish, boasting a high-octane exciting 'fight', with fish often becoming airborne in an effort to throw the hook.