successful spawning followed by years of low natural reproduction. 

 A few days after hatching largemouth bass fry quickly disperse among 

 aquatic vegetation which affords them protection most of their lifetime. 



Young largemouth bass feed largely upon plankton and small in- 

 sects gradually extending their feeding habits as they become larger to 

 include crayfish, frogs, and small fish. 



Largemouths in Maine and other northern waters grow more slowly 

 than their relatives in southern waters with longer growing seasons. In 

 Long Pond of the Belgrade Chain largemouth bass reach 10 inches in 

 total length during their fourth growing season, reach 15 inches at the 

 age of 6 years and are usually 18 inches after 8 years. Optimum growth 

 occurs in waters having temperatures of 80°F. or higher. 



Largemouth bass like smallmouths may become infected with the 

 mature and larval stages of the bass tapeworm, Proteocepluilus amblop- 

 lites, a common parasite of bass and certain other fishes in many waters. 

 Bass infected with the bass tapeworm are still edible. Severe infection 

 with the larval stage may often cause sterility in bass and normal growth 

 may be retarded when individual incidence is high. Needless to say 

 optimum conditions for bass are associated with waters free from this 

 parasite. Extreme caution on behalf of fishermen should be exercised 

 to prevent the introduction and spread of the bass tapeworm into unin- 

 fected waters. The bass tapeworm is most easily transmitted by intro- 

 ducing bass, perch, minnows, and other fishes infected with this para- 

 site. 



Desirable methods and techniques for the management of this 

 species have been formulated by extensive studies of largemouth bass 

 throughout the United States. Many studies have disproved the need for 

 minimum length restrictions, protection during spawning, bag limits and 

 closed seasons, and have resulted in more liberal fishing regulations 

 for this species in many states. It is interesting to note that at this writ- 

 ing as few as ten states have minimum length limits. 



While it is well known that the male bass protects the nest and eggs 

 during incubation, there is substantial evidence indicating that angling 

 for bass during the spawning season has no serious effect on bass pro- 

 duction. On the other hand unbalanced populations of less desirable 

 species, often serving as forage fish for bass, may seriously limit bass 

 production. Fluctuations in water levels during spawning may some- 

 times result in heavy losses of eggs and fry, especially in waters where 

 the lowering of lake levels exposes extensive spawning areas. 



Bass stocking in lakes that already contain this species has no 

 biological basis and is poor management. The introduction of bass may. 

 however, serve the useful purpose of establishing this species in desir- 

 able waters where they do not presently occur. 



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