The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae). The largest of the seven species in genus Micropterus (which are all popular game fish known as the black basses), M. salmoides grows to a length up to 29.5 inches (the record), about 25 pounds, and lives 16 years. Although native to the great lakes region of North America, the largemouth bass’ enormous sporting appeal precipitated the introduction of the largemouth bass to stock waterways around the world. A highly adaptable and aggressive fish, it has had a devastating impact upon native species in many countries, prompting the Global Invasive Species Database to declare largemouth bass one of the 100 worst invading species. The largemouth bass is the state fish of Alabama (official freshwater fish), Georgia, Mississippi, Florida (state freshwater fish), and Tennessee (official sport fish).

( IUCN/SSC 2006; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2011; Wikipedia 13 January 2012; Wikipedia 3 January 2012)