Largemouth Bass - Essay Example

Largemouth Bass
To introduce it, Largemouth Bass belongs to the family Micropterus salmoides. It is known by many other names, like Green Trout, Pond Trout, Lake Trout, Bucketmouth Bass, Bigmouth Bass, and Black Bass. They are most commonly found in Texas, and somewhat in southeastern Canada and northeastern Mexico; however, they are distributed all over the world because of their popularity as sport fish. They are usually green in color from the top and are white underneath, with dark-colored spots on either side going in the form of horizontal lines. The blotches give it a beautiful look. 
The anterior part of the fish has 9-11 spines and a clearly divided fin; while, the posterior part consists of 12-14 soft rays (“Largemouth Bass”, para.1). They are given the name largemouth because their upper jaw is so big that it reaches the rear end of the eyes at either side. In the first year of its life, this fish grows 5-6 inches. In two years, it is about 8-12 inches; and a three-year-old fish is nearly 16 inches long. “The Alabama state angling record (16 lb, 8 oz) was caught in Mountain View Lake, Shelby County, in 1987” (“Largemouth Bass”, para.2).
Largemouth Bass are said to be the biggest predators of the aquatic environment. They become active predators right in the first year of their lives. They feed on zooplankton, smaller sunfish, crayfish, smaller amphibians, and other little insects (Oster 10). Adult Bass feeds on smaller Bass and other fish in the aquatic ecosystem. Since this fish has a large mouth, it has the advantage of fewer predators. However, young largemouth bass is preyed upon by many predators like herons and larger fish. They can survive in a wide variety of aquatic habitats; however, they are most commonly found in quieter watery regions, such as manmade ponds, submerged logs, and rock ledges. They are able to tolerate turbidity and loose currents in these waters. They are largely found in rivers and lakes in Texas, where they begin their spawning in the spring season. It is when the temperature of the waters reaches 60ͦ F. In winter, they move deep into the sea to find warmth; and in spring, they come up on bays that have become warmer (Bridges and Bester, para.6). They come in shallow waters when they are looking for food, in the mornings and evenings. The male bass makes a nest under the water where the female bass lays eggs. Then she goes away, and the male bass protects the eggs that hatch in 5-10 days. The newborns are called fry, and they stay in groups called schools. Their schools are under the direct supervision of the male bass. The lifespan of a largemouth bass is nearly 16 years (Texas Parks and Wildlife, para. 4).
The Official Web site of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (“Largemouth Bass”, para.3) states that:  
Native populations of Micropterus salmoides occur throughout the eastern United States. Extensive stockings of the Florida subspecies, M. s., and the mainland subspecies, M. s., have expanded the range of this species from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and from southern Canada into Mexico. The Florida subspecies of largemouth bass have been selectively stocked in Alabama since 1971 and continue to be stocked by state and private fisheries biologists.
Subspecies of largemouth bass have been introduced into Texas, and thus, largemouth bass becomes a specialty of this state. Texas has a great number of bass angling clubs where largemouth bass fishing is done. This fishing is very important for Texas’ economy as fish anglers prefer largemouth bass over any other fish for fishing. The trend of catch and release is growing, especially when anglers catch adult largemouth bass. This is because most of these are female breeders, and it becomes important for the anglers to release them in the same water after catching them so that the breeding of fish is not disturbed. Texas is also popular for largemouth fish as delicious seafood, due to which this species has been introduced in many aquatic environments not only in Texas but in many other countries like South Africa, Europe, France, and New Zealand. 
Like all other fish, there are potential hazards for the survival of largemouth fish, the most important of which are water pollution and drought. To save this species, it is necessary to take steps to keep its aquatic habitat clean and hygienic so that it keeps on engaging fish anglers and common people with its sporty nature. Read More