SMALLMOUTH BLACK BASS 



Microfterus dolomieu Lacepede 



The original distribution of the smallmouth bass included the Great Lakes, 

 St. Lawrence drainage, upper Mississippi, Ohio and the Tennessee River systems. 

 It has since been introduced throughout New England. 



In the northern part of its range the smallmouth prefers large, clear water 

 lakes. In the southern portion of its range it may be found commonly in streams. 

 Adults are usually not abundant in streams less than 35 feet in width although 

 the young may be found in creeks of smaller size. 



Spawning time depends largely on the temperature of the water usually 

 taking place at temperatures between 59 F. and 65 F. Depending on the geo- 

 graphic location this may run from the latter part of April through the first part 

 of June. The male makes a nest out of carefully cleaned gravel. After persuad- 

 ing a female to enter the nest and spawn the male guards the eggs during the 

 incubation period and the young for several days after hatching. The period of 

 incubation may run from 2 to 9 days depending on water temperature. On an 

 average the males mature at an age of three years and at a length of 9 inches. 

 Females mature at an age of four years and at a length of 11 to 12 inches. 

 Seasonal migrations for spawning may be up a tributary stream or merely from 

 deep to shallow water. A stream may have a resident population and a lake run 

 population, with the lake population entering the stream only during the spawn- 

 ing season. 



The first food of the smallmouth bass is composed of minute animals grad- 

 uating to larvae and other small aquatic insects. At a length of 1^ inches the 

 young bass begin to feed on insects and small fishes. With an increase in age and 

 size they turn more and more to a diet of fish and less to the insects. A bass over 

 1 inches feeds mostly on crayfish and other fish. 



LARGEMOUTH BLACK BASS 



Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede) 



The largemouth was originally distributed from Canada southward to 

 Florida and Mexico east of the Rockies. It has much the same distribution as the 

 smallmouth but the limits of the range of the largemouth do not extend quite as 

 far north and run further south. 



Growing well in small areas the largemouth may be found in sluggish 

 streams or weedy bays or ponds where the water may be stained or even muddy. 

 Temperatures as high as 80 F. to 90 F. may occur in the habitat. 



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