Largemouth bass are moderately compressed with a deep body. The back of the mouth, when closed, extends past the eye. This characteristic distinguishes it from the smallmouth bass where the back of the mouth does not extend past the eye. The largemouth also has a black band that extends down the side of the body. Spotted bass have a black spot on the gill cover and dark streaks on the lower side of the body.
Habitat and Habits
They prefer ponds, lakes and slow, sluggish streams.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Largemouth bass usually spawn between mid-April and mid-June. Nests are constructed by the male in one to six feet of water. The female lays between 2,000 and 20,000 eggs in several different nests; one nest can contain eggs from several females. The male guards the eggs until they have hatched. Young largemouth feed on microscopic animals until they reach one inch in length. At this time, they begin eating freshwater shrimp, midge larvae, and other small animals.
Author & Image Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
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