Species
Largemouth Bass Fishing Guides
Largemouth bass are the most popular freshwater game fish in the US, found in lakes, reservoirs and slow rivers around weeds, timber and docks. 60 captains and guides in 17 towns list largemouth bass. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the largemouth bass
A green-backed bass with a white belly, a broad dark stripe along the side, and a very large mouth: the upper jaw extends well past the rear edge of the eye. Smallmouth have a shorter jaw and vertical bars instead of a stripe.
- Scientific name
- Micropterus nigricans
- Also called
- Bigmouth bass, lineside bass
- Family
- Sunfish family (Centrarchidae)
- Typical catch
- 10 to 20 inches and 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds
- How big they get
- FishBase lists a maximum of about 38 inches and 22 pounds
- Where they live
- Native to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and Mississippi River basins, from southern Quebec to Minnesota south to the Gulf, and Atlantic and Gulf drainages from North Carolina to Florida. Widely stocked as a game fish outside its native range.
- Habitat
- Warm, fairly clear, still or slow water: lakes, reservoirs, ponds, river backwaters and creek pools. Look for weedlines, lily pads, bulrushes, fallen trees, rocky points and other heavy cover; shallows in spring and fall, deeper cooler water in midsummer.
- Diet
- Fish, crayfish and large insects, and now and then frogs, mice or snakes.
- Lifespan
- Up to 10 to 15 years (MDC, Minnesota DNR); FishBase lists a maximum reported age of 23 years
- On the table
- Minnesota DNR says many anglers release largemouth because they are not considered top table fare, but 10 to 14 inch bass from cool spring water can be good eating.
Where
Where to catch largemouth bass with a charter
| Town | Captains listing it | Main months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Fork, TX | 14 | Feb, Mar, Apr | Report |
| Guntersville, AL | 10 | Year-round | Report |
| Lake Okeechobee, FL | 8 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Broken Bow, OK | 6 | — | Report |
| Branson, MO | 5 | — | Report |
| Okoboji, IA | 3 | — | Report |
| Lake Texoma, TX | 2 | Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Page, AZ | 2 | Apr, May | Report |
| Kentucky Lake, KY | 2 | — | Report |
| Grand Isle, LA | 1 | — | Report |
| St. Clair Shores, MI | 1 | — | Report |
| Port Clinton, OH | 1 | — | Report |
| Navajo Dam, NM | 1 | — | Report |
| Burlington, VT | 1 | — | Report |
| Lake McConaughy, NE | 1 | — | Report |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Crystal River, FL | 1 | — | Report |
Counts are captains who list largemouth bass, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about largemouth bass fishing
Things to know
- Most active at dawn and dusk.
- Males build and guard nests in spring once water reaches about 60 degrees F, usually 2 to 8 feet deep on firm bottom.
- One of the most important warmwater sport fish in North America; catch-and-release is common.
- Many states have bass seasons, catch-and-release periods or length limits; check your state agency.
How charters catch them
- Soft plastic worms and jigs, rigged weedless for heavy cover
- Swimbaits, spinners and small spoons
- Surface frogs and poppers early and late in the day
- Live minnows or worms
- Fly fishing with poppers
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Largemouth Bass questions
How do I tell a largemouth from a smallmouth bass?
Close the mouth and look at the jaw: on a largemouth it extends well past the rear of the eye. Largemouth also have a dark stripe along the side instead of vertical bars.
Why do some sources list a different scientific name?
Missouri's MDC lists largemouth bass as Micropterus nigricans, with Micropterus salmoides as a synonym. Older references, including FishBase, still use M. salmoides.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
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