FAMILY CENTRARCHIDAE 233 



on the eggs will cause bass to desert their nests. Such an event seldom 

 happens in lakes, except in the immediate vicinity of cultivated lands, 

 where the surface soil can be carried by heavy rains down steep slopes 

 to the spawning grounds. 



The largemouth bass do not always use the same care as the small- 

 mouth in selecting nesting sites. Where good beds are available they 

 follow much the same procedure as the smallmouth bass, but usually a 

 mass of dead vegetation or an accumulation of roots will suffice. Such a 

 nest is cleaned before the eggs are deposited. Depressions 2 to 3 feet in 

 diameter and about 6 inches deep are fanned out by the tail of the male. 

 The male removes small pebbles by carrying them away in his mouth. 



Bass exercise the same care and courage in defending their nests 

 against all enemies, fancied or real, as do the other members of the Cen- 

 trarchidae. From the time the male bass clears off an area for the female 

 to deposit the eggs until the eggs are hatched and the fry leave the nest, 

 every object appearing in the vicinity, within a radius of at least 20 feet, 

 is immediately attacked and driven off. The male even drives off other 

 bass, except those of his own species performing similar duties, of which 

 he apparently takes cognizance. Bass usually nest about 30 feet apart 

 and seem to exercise territorial rights. They never nest in colonies as 

 the sunfishes often do. 



In pond culture operations Surber has tried time and again to induce 

 the guarding males to take such food as minnows and frogs. They would 

 immediately strike, but after chewing savagely on the minnow or frog 

 for a few seconds they would eject it with considerable force. When a 

 frog was taken it was carried some distance away before it was ejected, 

 and immediately afterward the bass resumed his sentry duties. The 

 newly hatched bass go in schools, which usually do not break up until 

 the fry reach a length of an inch or more. Although at this stage the 

 guardian parent does not defend them as vigorously as before, his at- 

 tendance is manifested as a protector and is continued until the schools 

 of young finally scatter. 



Because of the popularity of the largemouth bass as a game fish and 

 because of its ability to thrive under many conditions of environment 

 and temperature not enjoyed by other fishes, there is a constant and 

 ever-increasing demand on the fish hatcheries for largemouth fry for 

 stocking ponds and lakes throughout the northern states. This demand 

 far exceeds any hope of supply in the near future. The bass do not re- 

 spond to artificial expression and fertilization of the eggs as do the 

 walleye, perch, and trout, but have to be liberated in ponds and allowed 

 to attend to their domestic affairs in their own way. Consequently the 

 output of bass by the state fish hatcheries is limited to the amount of 

 pond room available for this purpose. For the best results the adults 

 should be removed as soon as nesting duties are over, for otherwise they 

 may devour part of the young. If nestings boxes built like stalls are 



