Wildlife Spotlight: Florida Largemouth Bass

Duane Raver

Our state’s most popular freshwater game fish and the largest member of the sunfish family is the Florida largemouth bass. Sometimes confused with smallmouth and spotted bass, the Florida largemouth is easily distinguished by its large mouth (the upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge of the eye) and a deep notch in the dorsal fin. Females live longer and grow larger than males; males seldom exceed 16 inches, while females often surpass 22 inches. Virtually all bass over eight pounds are female.

Florida largemouth bass are found throughout Florida, and are very abundant in waters where bountiful vegetation provides food and cover. They occupy freshwater to brackish habitats, including ponds, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. Spawning time varies from south to north, but it generally occurs from December to May.

Spawning usually begins in February and March in most central Florida lakes when water temperatures reach 58 to 65 degrees. The female lays up to 100,000 eggs in a saucer shaped nest 20 to 30 inches in diameter, created by the male in hard-bottom areas along shallow shorelines. The male guards the nest, eggs, and young. The young (called fry) stay together in tight schools until they are an inch long. Young fish feed on microscopic animals and small crustaceans such as grass shrimp and crayfish. Fingerling bass feed on insects, crayfish, and small fishes. Adults eat whatever is available, including fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, salamanders, snakes, mice, turtles, and even birds.

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