Home (/) Fishing (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing) Inland (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/) Black Bass

(#)

(Micropterus spp.)

Bass angling provides recreation and economic value to the state of California. For several years, California has been the center of

attention for producing trophy-sized black bass. In a list of the top 25 largest largemouth bass caught in the U.S., 21 of the bass are

from California waters. Nationwide attention to California 's largemouth bass fisheries began with the success of Florida largemouth

bass introductions. Numerous catches of largemouth bass over 10 pounds were reported following the introductions and in 1972, the

first largemouth bass over 20 pounds from California was caught at Lake Miramar. In addition to trophy-sized largemouth bass, the

introduction of Alabama spotted bass in 1976 and subsequent introductions to other California waters has produced trophy-sized,

and state and world record catches from California waters.

Freshwater Fishing Contests (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Contests)

Identification (#lt-35634377-identification)

Trophy Certificate (#lt-35634378-trophy-certificate)

Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, were first introduced into California from Quincy, Illinois, into

Lake Cuyamaca ( San Diego County ) in 1891, and are now found throughout California. Two

subspecies are recognized, the northern subspecies, M. s. salmoides, and the Florida subspecies, M. s.

floridanus. The first introduction of Florida largemouth bass was made in 1959 into southern California.

The value of Florida largemouth bass has been demonstrated by increased catches of trophy-sized fish

and nationwide public attention. Many bass greater than 10 pounds have been caught from California

waters including a 21 pound 12 ounce bass caught from Castaic Lake, Los Angeles County, in 1991.

Login

Fishing for Black Bass https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Black-Bass

1 of 4 4/20/2016 4:16 PM
Fisheries Branch (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/)

830 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 | (916) 327-8840

Spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus, are divided into three separate subspecies but only the

northern spotted bass, M. p. punctulatus, called Kentucky bass, and Alabama spotted bass, M. p.

henshalli have been introduced into California. Although spotted bass are colored similar to largemouth

bass, they can be easily distinguished by a smaller mouth and the fact that the first and second dorsal

fins are connected. A tooth patch is located on the tongue of the spotted bass and can be felt when you

run the tip of your finger over it. However, a portion of largemouth bass also posses the tooth patch. The

Alabama spotted bass was introduced to the state in 1974. Subsequently, angler catches of Alabama

spotted bass over six pounds from many waters have been verified by CDFW biologists including one

that weighed 10 pounds 4 ounces, caught at Pine Flat Lake in 2001.

Smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, were first introduced into California in the Napa River in 1874

from Lake Champlain, New York. Historical records indicate that anglers "fished out" the first plant and

the introduction was considered unsuccessful. An introduction a few years later into Crystal Springs

Reservoir, a water supply reservoir south of the city of San Francisco, was successful and provided an

abundant source of smallmouth bass for additional stockings throughout the state. Most trophy-sized

smallmouth bass from California have been caught in northern California waters. The California state

record smallmouth bass is 9 lbs 13 oz and was caught from Pardee Reservoir in 2007.

Fishing for Black Bass https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Black-Bass

2 of 4 4/20/2016 4:16 PM
Login

Warmwater Fish

Black Bass (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Black-Bass)

Catfish

Panfish

Sacramento Perch

Coldwater Fish

Brook Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_BrookDesc.asp)

Brown Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_BrownDesc.asp)

Bull Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_BullDesc.asp)

California Golden Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_CaGoldenDesc.asp)

Coastal Cutthroat Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_CCutDesc.asp)

Coastal Rainbow Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_CRainBowDesc.asp)

Kern River Rainbow Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_KernRivRbwDesc.asp)

Lahanton Cutthroat Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_LahontanDesc.asp)

Little Kern Golden Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_LKernGldDesc.asp)

Mountain White Fish (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_MtWhiteFshDesc.asp)

Paiute Cutthroat Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_Paiute/index.asp)

Redband Trout (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_RedbandDesc.asp)

Anadromous Fish (#LiveTooltip[Anadromous])

American Shad

Chinook Salmon

Coho Salmon

Pacific Lamprey

Steelhead Trout

(img%20src=)Striped Bass (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Striped-Bass)

Sturgeon

Three-spined Stickleback

Select Language Powered by Translate

Conditions of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Contact Us

Fishing for...

Fishing for Black Bass https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Black-Bass

3 of 4 4/20/2016 4:16 PM
© 2016 State of California

Fishing for Black Bass https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Black-Bass

4 of 4 4/20/2016 4:16 PM