492 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Young individuals, from 1^ to 2 inches long, were seined ia 

 Bronx river in August 1897. 



The average weight of the large mouthed bass in southern 

 waters is less than 5 pounds, and still less in northern waters. 

 In Florida it attains a large size, as much as 3 feet in length, 

 and a weight of 25 pounds. Its growth and size depend on the 

 waters where it is found, and the natural food supply of small 

 fish, crawfish and frogs. 



It is a very active fish; its movements are affected by season- 

 al changes and the search for food and places for spawning. In 

 polluted streams the bass are often compelled by the impuri- 

 ties to seek new haunts in pure water. The young bass feed on 

 animal food at an early age. The large mouthed bass is said to 

 be more cannibalistic than the small mouthed. Small fishes 

 (minnows) of all kinds, crawfish, frogs, insects and their larvae, 

 and aquatic animals of all kinds, suitable in size, make up the 

 diet of this fish. It feeds both at the surface and on the bot- 

 tom, pursuing its prey with great activity. When surrounded 

 by seines or caught on hooks this species will often leap a or 

 6 feet out of the water, and its habit of jumping over the cork 

 lines of seines has given it the name of "jumper." 



In cold weather the bass seeks deep places, often hibernating 

 under rocks, sunken logs and in the mud. Favorite localities 

 are under overhanging and brush-covered banks, in the summer, 

 and among aquatic plants, where the fish lies in wait for its 

 prey. 



The spawning season of the large mouthed bass is about the 

 same as that of the small mouthed species, beginning in April 

 and lasting till July. Its eggs are adhesive, sticking to stones 

 during the incubation period, which lasts from one to two weeks 

 according to the temperature of the water. The young bass 

 remain in the nest a week or 10 days, and at the ago of two 

 weeks will measure about f of an inch in length. In suitable 

 waters it is estimated that the large mouthed bass will weigh 

 at the age of three years from 2 pounds to 4 pounds. 



The Oswego bass is even more destructive to fish than M. 

 d <) 1 <> ni i e n . It will eat any fish which it can manage to get 



