Rosamond Gifford Zoo

LOADING ..
The Internet connection is missing right now, but you're able to browse previously opened pages offline.

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Largemouth bass have an elongated body that ranges from silvery-white to brassy green. Dark olive mottling on its dorsal surface provides camouflage. They are a fast-growing fish, reaching up to 16 inches in three years.

Range & Habitat

Their native range includes the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and the Mississippi River. However, because of its importance as a game fish they have been introduced to many other areas, including Mexico, Central and South America. Largemouth bass inhabit clear, vegetated lakes, ponds, swamps, and backwaters of pools, creeks, and rivers. They seek protective cover under logs, rocks, vegetation, and man-made structures. Although they prefer clear quiet water they survive quite well in a variety of habitats.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Diet

In the Wild – zooplankton and insect larvae.

At the Zoo – small insects, algae, shrimp, bloodworms and commercial fish food.

Life Span

In the Wild: 16-20 years
In Human Care: 8-12 years+

Fun Facts about the Largemouth Bass

  •    Except for humans, adult largemouth bass are the top predators in the aquatic ecosystem.
  •  They are one of the top recreational species in the U.S.
  •  The oldest reported Largemouth bass is 23 years.
  •  The heaviest reported weight for a Largemouth bass is 22 lbs!
  •  The longest reported length is 38.2”

Sources

NatureServe. 2019. Micropterus salmoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T61265A58310038. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T61265A58310038.enDownloaded on 27 May 2021.

 

Texas Parks & Wildlife (Ed.). (2021). Largemouth bass. Retrieved May 27, 2021, from

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/lmb/

 

U.S. Department of the Interior (Ed.). (2021). Largemouth bass. Retrieved May 27, 2021, from https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=401

 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife (Ed.). (2021). NAS-Nonindigenous Aquatic Species. Retrieved May 27, 2021, from https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/freshwater-fish-of-america/largemouth_bass.html

 

 

Updated June 13, 2023
Adjust cookies
Essential cookies
Session cookies,
Performance cookies
Google Analytics,
Functional cookies
Targeting cookies
We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.
You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Accept