LARGEMOUTH BASS IDENTIFICATION:
Two dorsal fins with a deep notch between spinous and soft-rayed portions, body longer than deep, upper jaw extends beyond rear of eye, body usually light green with a dark green lateral streak.
DIET:
Although they prefer to eat minnows and other fish, they will also prey on crayfish, amphibians and insects (both terrestrial and aquatic).
LIFE HISTORY:
Largemouth bass spawn in late spring or early summer. The male constructs a nest on rocky or gravelly bottoms, although occasionally the eggs are deposited on leaves and rootlets of submerged vegetation. The eggs hatch in three to four days. The fry rise up out of the nest in five to eight days and form a tight school. This school feeds over the nest and later the nursery area while the male stands guard. The school breaks up about a month after hatching when the fry are about one inch long. Young largemouth bass grow quickly and can be as large 4 to 5 inches by the end of their first summer. Largemouth bass can grow larger than 20 inches and exceed 7 pounds in Michigan waters.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In Michigan, largemouth bass are seldom found deeper than 20 feet. Largemouth bass are most active in warm waters of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer clear waters with no noticeable current and do not tolerate excessive turbidity and siltation. In winter they dwell on or near the lake bottom, but stay fairly active throughout the year.
Puzzle: Large mouth Bass are often found in deep water.
True: N 42° 33.719' W 083° 34.988'
False: N 42° 33.988' W 083° 34.719'
Please wear hunters orange during hunting season.