Bass, Black
Description
Also known as the largemouth bass, black bass is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family often referenced by the state in which is it commonly found. Among other species, largemouth, smallmouth, spotted and shoal bass are collectively known as black basses. The black basses are sometimes erroneously called black trout, but the name trout more correctly refers to certain members of the salmon family.
The largemouth is an olive green fish, marked by a series of dark, sometimes black, blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank. The largemouth is the largest of the black basses, reaching a recorded maximum length of 29.5 in (75 cm) and a maximum unofficial weight of 25 pounds 1 ounce (11.4 kg). The fish lives 16 years on average.
Average Length
Average Weight
Temperature Range
Habitat
Black bass prefer to hold around cover such as logs, rock ledges, vegetation and man-made structures in clear, quiet ponds and lakes. Smaller populations can also be found in creeks, canals and other areas with slow, densely vegetated sections.
Range
Originally distributed east of the Rockies, including many rivers and lakes in Texas. There are also limited populations in southeastern Canada and northeastern Mexico. Because of its importance as a game fish, black basses have been introduced into many other areas worldwide, including nearly all of Mexico and Central and South America.
