SRAC# 201, Culture of Largemouth Bass Fingerlings (Revised 1997)

SRAC# 201

Culture of Largemouth Bass Fingerlings (Revised 1997)

James T. Davis and Joe T. Lock

Opening Paragraph:
Producers of largemouth bass fingerlings and stockers should be aware of the genetics of their brood stock. Though there may be a desire to use brooders from off-hatchery sites, they should be from the local area under most situations. Strain selection depends on market demand and suitability for your market area. Florida strains are popular in warmer southern areas because they usually grow to a larger maximum size. There are conflicting data on growth rates of Northern and Florida strains. This is particularly true for growth during the first year. In addition, pure Florida strains are subject to winter-kill, especially in shallow culture ponds during prolonged sub-freezing weather. The use of scale counts along the lateral line and/or coloration are not reliable techniques for differentiating between the two subspecies. Positive strain identification requires sophisticated electrophoretic techniques. Contact the state Extension service for information on electrophoretic testing and strain recommendations.

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