Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)


The Largemouth Bass is widespread across much of North America, but its native range is difficult to determine because of centuries of stocking. The native range is thought to be Gulf and Atlantic coast, Mississippi River, and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River drainages. They live in slow water in streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs typically associated with soft substrate. As the common name suggests, Largemouth Basses have the largest mouth of the basses, extending behind their eye.