gravel. In a few days the fry, as young fish are called, begin to darken 

 up and finally rise from the gravel as "black fry." After this the young 

 develop rapidly and move farther and farther from the nest. The young 

 smallmouth is more solitary, preferring to feed alone, while the young 

 largemouth apparently prefers to remain in schools for at least a part 

 of the first summer. 



Young bass begin to feed on minute animals or plankton and 

 gradually at an average length of 1 V2 inches begin to feed more on im- 

 mature stages of aquatic insects and on small fishes. As they increase 

 in age and size, fish and crayfish form staples of the diet. 



Growth of the smallmouth bass in Maine is demonstrated by the 

 ages and average lengths listed below: 



Age 



23456789 10 



Total length 6.9 9.2 11.3 11.9 13.4 15.5 15.6 17.5 17.6 



(inches) 



The large number of eggs spawned by the female and the protec- 

 tion of eggs and young by the male combine to produce a high reproduc- 

 tive potential for the smallmouth. This high natural production makes 

 it unnecessary to stock smallmouths in waters where they already occur. 

 Initial introductions of adult smallmouths are being made in suitable 

 lakes to provide additional fishing. These introductions are under the 

 supervision of the Regional Fishery Biologists and are recommended 

 only after biological study of the water area involved. 



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