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Montana’s largemouth bass anglers balance competition and conservation
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By treehugger on 08-19-10
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Excerpt from the Examiner.com Billings, July 22nd, 2010 12:08 pm:

“The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is an exotic species - not native to Montana. It is the largest and most widely acclaimed gamefish and may be the most widely introduced species in North America. Largemouth bass belong to a large family of fish including other species of bass, bluegills, crappie, and many other varieties of sunfish. They are now found all across our continent and are present in Montana both east and west of the Continental Divide but the greatest numbers of bass are found in eastern Montana and in the Flathead Valley.

Although they can survive the cold waters of Montana winters, bass prefer warm water temperatures of 70-75°F. Because so many lakes and ponds in Montana are colder than that, Montana bass do not grow as quickly as fish found in southern states. Largemouth bass prefer still water areas like lakes and ponds over moving water in rivers and streams as they are usually warmer. They also like areas with lots of weeds and lily pads, again, warmer water. Montana bass are smaller than those in warmer climates. In fact our record largemouth bass is a little over 8 pounds, but the world record is 22 pounds. They can do well in marginal trout ponds but are susceptible to winter-kill and often need to be restocked.

They are a spring spawning nest builder. Spawning occurs when water temperatures reach 60°F. Bass build and then defend their nests. Largemouths are very aggressive at this time and may strike at almost anything that moves near them. Males guard the nest and fiercely protect the newly hatched fry.

The mouth on a largemouth bass is almost the same size as its body which helps it devour prey. As an aggressive and opportunistic surface-feeder, bass eat a wide variety of foods but they prefer minnows, crayfish, and large aquatic insects. Bass will eat many other things that venture into the water including frogs, snakes, mice, and even small birds.”