Largemouth bass photo from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Official State Freshwater Fish
The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)* was designated the official state freshwater fish of Alabama in 1975 (the fighting tarpon is the state saltwater fish of Alabama). The largemouth bass is also a state symbol in Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. All State Fish & Aquatic Life Alabama also recognizes an official State State Saltwater Fish, the fighting tarpon, and a State Crustacean, the brown shrimp
Adult largemouth bass are active predators in the aquatic ecosystem, feeding on other fish and large invertebrates (such as crayfish). Large bass will also prey upon smaller bass. This black bass (an elongated sunfish) lives in quiet, vegetation-rich waters and can grow to over 20 inches and weigh over fifteen pounds.
* Alabama legislation erred by incorrectly identifying the largemouth bass by the Latin name Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted Bass).
