Largemouth Bass
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Name and Code
Family
Centrarchidae - sunfishes and basses
Species
Micropterus nigricans
Taxonomic Authority
(Cuvier 1828)
Common Name(s)
Largemouth Bass
French Name
achigan à grande bouche
Species Code
317
Family TSN
168093
Parent TSN
168158
Species TSN
168160
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2016-02-09)
National Rank (NRank)
N5 (2016-02-09)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S5 (2009-03-23)
COSEWIC Status
none
SARO Status
none
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
none
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native/introduced
General Abundance
common
Tolerance
tolerant
Economic Importance
sport fish
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-5.1289
Slope (b)
3.1028
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Environment
benthopelagic
Trophic Class
invertivore/carnivore
Thermal Regime
warmwater
Habitat Preference
clear, warm, shallow lakes, bays, ponds, marshes and backwaters and pools of creeks and small to large rivers, often with soft mud or sand substrate and dense aquatic vegetation; usually at depths <6 m; preferred water temperature range 26-30°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Guarders: Nest spawners: Polyphils
Spawning Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Spawning Season
spring
Spawning Month(s)
May-June
Spawning Temperature (°C)
15-21
Fecundity
4,550-54,732
Nursery Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
30.5-53.3 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.4-2.1
Age at Maturity (yrs)
3-4 (m); 4-5 (f)
Maximum Length (cm)
73 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
8.25
Lifespan (yrs)
12-23
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
58.4 TL
Record Weight (kg)
4.73
Ontario Range Map
Largemouth Bass range
Ontario Distribution
central, southern and northwestern Ontario; distribution expanded due to stocking in non-native waters
Photographs
Largemouth Bass photograph
Largemouth Bass photograph
Notes
lies in a semidormant state during winter; tolerant of high water temperature (36.5°C) and range of pH (5-10); moderately tolerant of turbidity
Information Sources
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