Largemouth Bass
Huro, Lobina Negra
(Micropterus salmoides)

Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides: The Largemouth Bass is one of most sought after game fishes in the world and is the state freshwater fish of Alabama and Florida. It is a member of the Centrarchidae Family whose members are known in Mexico as lobinas.

Overall they are green in color with dark blotches and a prominent lateral stripe that runs from the snout through the eye to the base of the tail. The underside is light green to almost white. The dorsal fin has two distinct portions, the spinous portion with 9 or 10 spines, and the rayous portion with 12 or 13 soft rays. The upper jaw reaches far beyond the rear margin of the golden brown eye. They grow rapidly and reach an average length of 18 inches and weights of up to 15 pounds.

The world record, caught in a lake in Georgia in 1932, is 3 feet 2 inches and 22 pounds, 4 ounces. They have an average life span is 16 years. Largemouth Bass of 6 inches are one year of age, a 12-inch fish is two years old, and a 16-inch fish is three years old. Adults are usually solitary.

The Largemouth Bass prefers clear quiet water, but will survive quite well in a variety of habitats. It is tolerant of warm water to 30 degrees C., but at elevated temperatures it becomes less active. It is seldom found at depths of more than 20 feet.

The Largemouth Bass spawns in the spring with water temperatures above 18 degrees C. The male selects the nest site in two to eight feet of quiet vegetated water with bottoms composed of sand, gravel, or pebbles, and begins the spawning process by clearing out a small depression in the bottom substrate. He then attracts a gravid (egg laden) female and together they pass over his bed, releasing between 2,000 and 145,000 eggs and sperm. Shortly after spawning, the female departs and the male is left to guard the developing eggs. The male fasts while defending the eggs from predators (other fishes and water birds) and debris. The young fry hatch in five to ten days. Fry remain in "school" near the nest under the male's watch for several days. Fry feed primarily on zooplankton and insect larvae. At about two inches in length they become active predators.

The Largemouth Bass is classic ambush predator, hiding among plants, roots or limbs and awaiting passing prey. Adults feed almost exclusively on other fishes and large invertebrates such as crayfish. Larger fish also prey upon smaller basses. Except for humans, the adult Largemouth Bass is the top predators in the aquatic ecosystem and rarely becomes prey, due to its size, swimming speed, and protective dorsal spines.

This fish species is native to the Florida Everglades, and due to its importance as a game fish, havs been introduced into many other areas, making it perhaps the mostly widely distributed fish in the world.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

It is currently a resident of all of Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Guam, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United States. The Largemouth Bass is found in all types of waters, including swamps, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, creeks, large rivers, and estuaries.

It is highly prized for its value as food. The Largemouth Bass is widely distributed and as such, is not listed as an endangered or vulnerable species with the World Conservation Union (IUCN). As with nearly all aquatic species, pollution and drought are the biggest threats to its existence and survival. The Largemouth Bass is most often confused with the Spotted Bass, Micropterus punctulatus (spiny and soft dorsal fins fused).

Largemouth Bass fish picture

Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides: Caught during fishing by Eduardo Correa with standard surf gear out of a Los Cabos, Mexico, irrigation pond (23.01 degrees north, 109.43 degrees west), in January 2008. Size approximately 14 inches and 2 pounds. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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