FOOD OF YOUNG LARGE-MOUTH BLACK BASS 

 IN SOME OHIO WATERS 



By Dr. C. L. Turner 



Beloit College, Beloit, Wis. 



and 



W. C. Kraatz 



Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 



Selected specimens of young large-mouth black bass 

 taken, were immediately immersed in 5 to 10 per cent 

 formalin and the contents of the alimentary canal later 

 studied with the aid of binocular and compound micro- 

 scopes. 



The large-mouth bass is well distributed over the state, and 

 probably occurs in every body of water which offers suitable 

 environment and is free from pollution. As compared with 

 the small-mouth bass, the large-mouth prefers relatively quiet 

 and deep waters containing much vegetation, such environment 

 being found in most of the larger inland lakes, sometimes in 

 the larger streams, but seldom in the smaller streams. 



The large-mouth bass in Ohio spawns from the last of 

 May to the middle of July, but for the most part spawning 

 is completed by the middle of June. The young bass remain 

 in schools for a few days after hatching, but they rapidly be- 

 come individualistic, and hunt singly. They appear to be 

 game fish from the time they begin to take food, darting about 

 on the surface and snapping at any small object that moves. 

 In suitable localities they remain near the surface in large 

 numbers, but dart below when disturbed. There is apparently 

 little migration, merely a general scattering out of the school, 

 as food is usually abundant in and about the vegetation. 



The young bass considered here are all in their first sum- 

 mer or first year's growth. While a reference is made to 

 one yearling bass examined, it is not considered in the tables, 

 nor within the range of this particular study. 



