Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Points
12
per confirmed sighting
Largemouth Bass.
Micropterus salmoides
An introduced ambush predator of dams and slow rivers, popular with sport anglers.
Category
freshwater fish
Family
Centrarchidae
Size
30–55 cm, up to 5 kg
Points
12 pts
A closer look
Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding largemouth bass in its natural range.
Overview
An introduced ambush predator of dams and slow rivers, popular with sport anglers.
How to identify it
Deep olive-green body with a dark lateral band and a jaw reaching past the eye.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, swamps, backwaters and slower river habitats, often favouring quiet clear water.
Diet
Small fish, frogs and crustaceans
Behaviour
—
When to look
Species-level diel activity not standardised in this file.
Where to see it
South AfricaSafety and etiquette
Observe from a vehicle or a safe distance and never feed wildlife.
Verification and sources
1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.