Large-mouthed Black Bass ; Straw Bass 



sand and gravel, such as Lake Maxinkuckee, seem equally well 

 adapted to both species. In the ponds, bayous, lagoons and 

 sluggish streams of the South the straw bass is very abundant. 

 It frequently enters brackish water along the coast, where it 

 seems to be permanently resident. 



In the North the maximum weight of the straw bass is 

 about 8 pounds. Examples of that size are rarely seen, how- 

 ever. The average size does not exceed 3 or 4 pounds, though 

 examples weighing 5 or 6 pounds are not at all rare. In the warm 

 waters of the South, particularly in Florida, where the tempera- 

 tare is equable and food abundant, this fish attains a much 

 greater size. Dr. Henshall gives the maximum weight at 12 to 

 14 pounds, he himself having seen examples of those weights. 

 The straw bass, under favourable surroundings, grows very 

 rapidly. The conditions favourable for rapid and large growth 

 are abundant food and waters of warm or moderate temperature 

 and wide extent. The species is very productive. In May, 1892, 

 the Fish Commission placed in one of the rearing ponds at 

 Washington 15 adult large-mouth black bass, 7 or o of which 

 were females. These fish spawned in June and at Thanksgiving 

 time, when the young were removed from the pond, there were 

 taken out, by actual count, over 37,000 young, each 3 to 4 inches 

 long and 500 each weighing about one-half pound. These fish 

 had received abundant food, but the 500 larger ones had doubt- 

 less eaten many smaller ones of their own kind. 



This fish has received many vernacular names, among which 

 may be mentioned large-mouthed black bass, straw bass, green 

 bass, bayou bass, slough bass, lake bass, moss bass, grass bass, 

 marsh bass, Oswego bass, trout, green trout, welchman, chub, 

 and many others more or less absurd. The most distinctive and 

 expressive name is doubtless "large-mouthed black bass," the 

 only objection to which is its length. For many reasons "straw 

 bass" for this species and "black bass" for the small-mouthed 

 species are excellent names. 



The relative merits of the 2 species as game-fishes have 

 been much discussed. This depends upon many factors, as the 

 character of the water with regard to extent, depth, temperature 

 and presence of vegetation, character of bottom, food, season, 

 time of day, personality of the particular fish, and many others. 

 Dr. Henshall regards them as of equal gameness. Our own 



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