Average Size
1-5 lbs (12-20 inches)
World Record
22 lbs 4 oz
Best Season
Spring (pre-spawn and spawn) and Fall
Water Type
Freshwater
About Largemouth Bass
The largemouth bass is the undisputed king of freshwater tournament fishing in America. Known for its explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, this species has built a multi-billion dollar fishing industry. Largemouth bass are ambush predators that lurk near structure such as fallen trees, docks, and weed beds, waiting to engulf prey with their oversized mouths. Their adaptability to various water conditions has made them the most widely distributed game fish in the United States.
Habitat & Environment
Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, and streams with warm, calm water. Prefer areas with abundant cover including submerged vegetation, fallen timber, docks, and rocky structures. Thrive in water temperatures between 65-85°F.
World Record
22 lbs 4 oz (George Perry, Montgomery Lake, GA, 1932)
Did You Know?
Largemouth bass can eat prey up to 50% of their own body length. Their lateral line can detect vibrations in the water from over 100 feet away.
Where to Find Largemouth Bass
Alabama
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake
Arizona
excellentBest: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake
Arkansas
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals
California
excellentBest: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Clear Lake, California Delta
Florida
excellentBest: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
Lake Okeechobee, Lake Toho
Georgia
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Lake Oconee, Lake Lanier
Louisiana
excellentBest: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Toledo Bend, Caney Creek
Minnesota
goodBest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Lake Minnetonka, Lake Waconia
North Carolina
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Falls Lake, Jordan Lake
Ohio
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Alum Creek, Delaware Lake
Tennessee
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Chickamauga Lake, Pickwick Lake
Texas
excellentBest: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork
Connecticut
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah
Delaware
goodBest: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Lums Pond, Records Pond
Illinois
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Rend Lake, Kinkaid Lake
Indiana
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Patoka Lake, Monroe Lake
Kansas
goodBest: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Milford Lake, Clinton Lake
Kentucky
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley
Maine
goodBest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Sebago Lake, Belgrade Lakes
Maryland
goodBest: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Potomac River, Deep Creek Lake
Massachusetts
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir
Mississippi
excellentBest: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Ross Barnett, Grenada Lake
Missouri
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Table Rock Lake, Lake of the Ozarks
Nebraska
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Branched Oak, Pawnee Lake
Nevada
excellentBest: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Lake Mead, Lake Mohave
New Hampshire
goodBest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake
New Jersey
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Round Valley, Spruce Run
New Mexico
goodBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Elephant Butte, Caballo Lake
Oklahoma
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Grand Lake, Lake Texoma
Rhode Island
goodBest: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Worden Pond, Stafford Pond
South Carolina
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Lake Murray, Santee Cooper
Utah
goodBest: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Lake Powell, Utah Lake
Vermont
goodBest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Lake Champlain, Lake Bomoseen
Virginia
excellentBest: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
James River, Lake Gaston
Freedom Harlan County Bass Rampage
Thunder Florence Snook Classic
Classic Tampa Pike Quest
Grand Fort Smith Bass Fiesta
Fire Smithville Bass Open
Monster Twin Falls Bass Rodeo
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