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The Large Mouthed Black Bass

(Micropterus salraoides)

Historical

Although the large mouthed black bass was probably known to the early Spanish explorers of the southeastern United States, they made no mention of it that I can find. The French icthyologist Lacepede was also the first to recognize this fish scientifically, his specimen being sent from South Carolina in 1802. He gave it the specific name salmoides or "salmon-like."

RANGE

The range of the large mouthed black bass is much greater than that of the small mouthed. His natural distribution extended from Canada to Florida and Mexico and he has been successfully transplanted into every state of the Union as well as abroad. Because of his extended range, the large mouthed black bass has many absurd vernacular names. In the South the term "trout" is applied to this fish and is in general use, and in Wisconsin he is called "green bass"; "Oswego bass" is also a common name throughout the North. Other names are: straw bass, slough bass, moss bass, marsh bass, chubb, green trout, bronze backer. Equally unscientific is it to refer to the small mouthed bass as the black bass, thus suggesting that the large mouthed species is something else - salmoides is as much a black bass as is dolomieu.

DESCRIPTION

In color the large mouthed black bass shows a greater variation being inclined to have a yellow or brassy tint. Color however does not signify much in fishes especially as regards the black basses. Character of water, bottom or cover, food and other local peculiarities govern the color of fishes as well as the moods of the individual fish. Discomfort, pain, fear, anger or other emotions can quickly change a fish's color. Keepers of aquariums soon learn to recognize a fish's condition by its color. I once caught a large mouthed black bass weighing a little over five pounds that was the color of polished brass. He is still living in the breeding ponds at Bass Lake, Ind., but has lost most of his glorious tint.

HABITAT

The large mouthed black bass is not as aristocratic as the small mouthed and will do well in still, weedy waters or in slow, sedge-bordered rivers although he is often found in the same lake or stream as the small mouthed. Under such conditions you will usually find him in the weedier portion, which he prefers.

FOOD

The teeth of the large mouthed bass are the same as those of the small mouthed and his feeding habits are similar but not quite as dainty. He adds to his diet such food as is naturally found in his habitat, such as snakes, warm water minnows and young fishes, not even passing by young muskrats, or half-grown water birds. Frogs are also included in his diet by most anglers, probably because they make excellent bass bait, and he will eat them when he gets the chance, which is not often. His habitat does not generally compel him to be as active as the small mouthed which inclines him toward sluggishness.

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