Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Record Weight
22 lbs 4 oz
Montgomery Lake, GA
Average Size
1-5 lbs
Preferred Temp
65°-80°F
Lifespan
10-16 years
Fight Rating
4/5
Taste Rating
3/5
Identification
The largemouth bass is distinguished by its large mouth, where the upper jaw extends well past the eye when the mouth is closed. It has a dark green to olive back with a prominent dark lateral stripe running from gill to tail, fading with age in larger fish. The belly is white to yellowish. The dorsal fin has a deep notch between the spiny and soft-rayed portions, nearly separating them into two fins. This notch is the easiest way to distinguish it from the spotted bass, which has a shallower notch, and the smallmouth bass, whose jaw does not extend past the eye.
Habitat & Behavior
Largemouth bass are found in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, and streams throughout the continental United States. They prefer warm, slow-moving or still water with plenty of structure such as submerged vegetation, fallen timber, docks, lily pads, and rocky points. They are often found in water less than 20 feet deep, though they will move deeper in summer heat or clear-water lakes. Ideal habitat includes a mix of open water for feeding and dense cover for ambush opportunities.
Largemouth bass are ambush predators that rely on cover and structure to surprise prey. They are most active during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. In spring, males build nests on firm bottoms in shallow water and aggressively guard eggs and fry, making them vulnerable to sight-fishing. During summer, they often move to deeper structure or shade during midday and feed aggressively in mornings and evenings. In fall, they follow schools of shad and other baitfish into the shallows. Winter slows their metabolism significantly, and they hold tight to deep structure.
Best Techniques
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Setting the hook too quickly — wait until you feel solid weight before swinging.
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Cranking too fast — let the lure deflect off cover, which triggers reaction bites.
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Setting the hook on the explosion instead of waiting to feel the weight of the fish. Count "one-Mississippi" then set.
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Fishing too fast in cold water — slow-roll the spinnerbait just above bottom cover for winter and early spring bites.
Best Baits & Lures
- Green pumpkin Senko worm
- Shad-pattern square-bill crankbait
- White/chartreuse spinnerbait
- Black/blue jig with craw trailer
- Watermelon red flake creature bait
- Buzzbait
- Live shiners
- Zoom Super Fluke (white)
Seasonal Patterns
SpringSpring Fishing
Spring is prime time for largemouth bass. As water temperatures rise past 55F, bass move shallow to spawn. Pre-spawn fish feed aggressively on crawfish and baitfish near staging areas such as points and channel swings. During the spawn (60-70F), males fan out beds on firm bottoms in 1-6 feet of water and can be caught sight-fishing with soft plastics.
SummerSummer Fishing
In summer, bass transition to deeper structure during the heat of the day, holding on ledges, humps, brush piles, and creek channels in 10-25 feet of water. Early morning and late evening topwater bites can be outstanding. Night fishing with black buzzbait or dark-colored worms becomes productive. Target shade from docks, bridges, and overhanging trees during midday.
FallFall Fishing
Fall triggers a major feeding binge as bass follow schools of shad into creek arms and shallow flats. This is one of the best times to catch numbers of quality fish. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits that mimic baitfish are extremely effective. Look for surface activity like schooling bass busting shad on the surface.
WinterWinter Fishing
Winter slows bass metabolism significantly. Fish move to the deepest available structure and become lethargic. Slow presentations like a jig dragged along the bottom or a small finesse worm on a drop-shot rig are most effective. Bites are subtle and infrequent. Focus on the warmest parts of the day, especially sunny afternoons when water temps tick up slightly.
State Records
| State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 10 lbs 15 oz | 1990 | Anderson Ranch Reservoir |
| Illinois | 13 lbs 1 oz | 1976 | Stone Quarry Lake |
| Indiana | 14 lbs 12 oz | 1991 | Ferdinand State Forest Lake |
| Iowa | 10 lbs 12 oz | 1984 | Farm Pond |
| Kansas | 11 lbs 12 oz | 1977 | Woodson County State Lake |
| Kentucky | 13 lbs 10 oz | 1984 | Wood Creek Lake |
| Louisiana | 15 lbs 14 oz | 1994 | Caney Creek Reservoir |
| Maine | 11 lbs 10 oz | 1968 | Moose Pond |
| Maryland | 11 lbs 2 oz | 1983 | Farm Pond |
Tips & Fun Facts
- George Perry's 1932 world record of 22 lbs 4 oz from Montgomery Lake, Georgia, stood uncontested for over 77 years and remains the most iconic record in freshwater fishing.
- Largemouth bass can open their mouths wide enough to create a suction force that pulls prey in from several inches away.
- A female largemouth bass can lay between 2,000 and 40,000 eggs per pound of body weight during a single spawn.
- Bass have been shown to remember and avoid specific lure types they have been caught on for up to two weeks.
- The bass fishing industry generates an estimated $60+ billion annually in economic impact in the United States.