Alabama Bass, which is a … Lateral blotches on sides that do not touch the first dorsal fin, Lateral stripe ends in a series of blotches on the caudal peduncle (forms a solid line in spotted bass), Spiny and soft dorsal fins connected with shallow notch, Scales at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, Dorsal fin with 10 spines and anal fin with 3 spines. Guntersville Lake through Pickwick Lake offer the best bass fishing on the Alabama Bass Trail, and local guide, Captain Ryan Salzman started his fishing career growing up on these lakes. Alabama bass has not been reported in Maryland but there is concern anglers could introduce the species into Maryland. In 2011, however, the American Fisheries Society whittled the list to two when it removed Alabama fish from the spotted bass family and reclassified it as a species unto its own—the Alabama bass. Spotted Bass - True spotted bass are found in the Tennessee River basin and some coastal rivers; the "spotted bass" in the upper Mobile basin were recently upgraded to a new species called the Alabama bass. Upper jaw does not reach past middle … This hybridization and subsequent introgression is probably the reason for the decline of Redeye Bass population in Keowee Reservoir (Barwick et al. Yes, it looks like the spotted bass, but it grows larger — in its native waters and in some western reservoirs where all black bass are non-native introductions. Studies have shown a definite growth advantage for the "Alabama" subspecies, compared to their more northerly located relatives. originalDevice: deviceType:desktop, (Photo: Steven M. Sammons, Ph.D / Auburn University), American Fisheries Society Black Bass Conservation Committee's Facebook page, Upper jaw length and position compared to the eye, Number, size and location of lateral stripes and/or blotches, Number of rays and spines on dorsal and anal fins, Region of the country where the fish was captured. Alabama bass. Redeye Bass - Redeye bass are known as the brook trout of the warmwater game fish. Black bass Micropterus spp. Alabama Bass Micropterus henshalli C. L. Hubbs & R. M. Bailey, 1940 This bass is native to the Mobile River of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Very similar to shoal and spotted bass and occur in many of the same areas, usually do not get over four pounds. The Alabama bass, Micropterus henshalli, was recognized as a separate species in 2008 after scientists found that it wasn't closely related to the northern spotted bass, but genetically most similar to the redeye bass. Spotted Bass are greenish in color with pale bellies and have a series of dark lateral blotches that merge to form an irregular band, numerous small dark spots below the lateral line that form horizontal rows, and a … Note: In Alabama, it is illegal to move a bass or other aquatic organism from one public water to another without a permit. Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii) First described in 1874. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources identifies the Alabama bass as one of 12 species of black bass. Special thanks to Steven M. Sammons, Ph.D of Auburn University's School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences for his help on the photographs. From $180.00. It's important to understand, however, that there are many more black bass species than what many anglers might think. Black Bass: Includes combinations of largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Alabama, shoal and those species formerly known as “redeye” bass, which are now known separately as Coosa, Warrior, Cahaba, Tallapoosa and Chattahoochee bass, based on their respective drainages. That fish is the Alabama bass, once considered a subspecies of spotted bass but recognized by fisheries experts as a separate species a little more than a decade ago. Individuals are produced by artificially spawning a male white bass with a female striped bass. Largemouth Bass - Largemouth bass are the official state freshwater fish of Alabama. Age of Bass - Age and growth of Alabama's largemouth bass and spotted bass. Care of Fish for Release - Care of fish put in a livewell. Smallmouth Bass Tennessee River: A total of 178 species have been documented in the Alabama section of the Tennessee River system. site: sports | ptype: stories | pageType: stories | 6-keys: sports/wired2fish//// The species is so similar to the spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus, also known as Kentucky bass) species, that they are lumped together by many fisheries biologists.However, growth rates of Alabama bass exceed that of spotted bass, with Alabama bass commonly exceeding 20 inches in length versus 16 inches for spotted bass. It was originally a spotted bass subspecies. Still technically considered a subspecies of largemouth bass by the American Fisheries Society. The largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish (or largemouth bass, bluegill, and shellcracker) combination is the most common stocking strategy used in the Southeast. The Alabama bass looks a lot like out Kentucky spotted bass, but can take over and become dominant in short order A biologist with the Virginia Department of … Redeye Bass - Micropterus coosae - No world record, Alabama state record is 3 pounds, 2 ounces. Bream (Sunfish) - rock bass, flier, shadow bass, warmouth, redbreast, bluegill, longear, and redear (shellcracker). First described in 1822 and became a recognized species in 2002. Remarks: This bass was formerly a subspecies, M. punctulatus henshalli. Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Weiss Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Lay Lake, Lake Martin, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta However, this species is rare is not usually considered a resident fish. Native to Georgia and Alabama, when introduced into waters with largemouth bass… Limit. The Alabama bass was formerly known as spotted bass in the Mobile drainage. Details. Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, © 2021 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail. Characteristics: The palmetto bass, also called hybrid bass, is not a naturally occurring species. Some call this spotted bass species, "The Coosa River Spotted Bass." RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is warning Virginians of a species that has been discovered at locations around the state. In the Chattahoochee basin, both spotted bass and Alabama bass have been introduced. Smallmouth Bass - A great fighter, smallmouth bass are native to the Tennessee River basin of Alabama. To properly identify each species, you must know the following: Remember, many of these species will breed together and are considered sister species. C: Dorsal fins joined. The scientific community is in agreement on the following 9 species of Micropterus: 1. Micropterus is a genus of Freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes.The species of this genus are known as the black bass.. Because Alabama bass and the more widespread, spotted bass (M. punctulatus) were once considered the same species, can be 2013). Species. DGIF warns that Alabama Bass, an invasive species, poses a threat to other bass populations (iNaturalistAngling for Black Bass Conservation Project) Largemouth Bass - Largemouth bass are the official state freshwater fish of Alabama. (Joe Songer/jdsonger@al.com) There are actually 9 recognized species including Alabama bass, Florida bass, Guadalupe bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, shoal bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and Suwannee bass. The Alabama Bass Trail is 13 premier bass fishing lakes throughout Alabama. Hodges also said Alabama bass initially may interbreed with the largemouth bass — which average two to four pounds but can reach 10 pounds, until the invasive species gets a … The fish broke the existing 53-year-old Alabama state record for the species by 15 pounds and is potentially a world record for landlocked striped bass. Come learn proven techniques and fishing patterns to consistently catch fish during your trip to the Alabama Bass … For example, a Guadalupe bass will breed with both spotted and smallmouth bass, creating offspring that can be difficult to identify without genetic analysis. Still, Alabama bass, Micropterus henshalli, is the newest species of the black bass family, the most popular game fish in the nation, to call Texas waters home. 2006). The current Alabama record for spotted bass is 8 pounds 15 ounces and was caught from Lewis Smith Reservoir in the late 1970's. The black bass are sometimes erroneously called black trout, but the name trout more correctly refers to certain members of the salmon family.. … Shoal Bass - Shoal bass are only native to the Apalachicola River drainage in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Additionally, out-of-state suppliers might sell Alabama bass to Marylanders. The Alabama bass basics are that when the species is introduced to a fishery outside its natural range in Georgia and Alabama, subsequent developments have basically all been bad. Black bass are the most popular freshwater gamefish in the world, largely due to their voracious appetites and outstanding pound-for-pound fighting power. Winters in Alabama are mild and make it an excellent time to fish for hybrid bass, which are more active this time of year than many other game fish. Choctawhatchee River 1.5 miles above the Alabama/Florida state lines approximately 3 miles downstream of Geneva in Geneva County - Largemouth bass, spotted bass (mercury) It is also occasionally found in rivers and streams of East Alabama where it has been declared an endangered species and cannot legally be kept if caught by fishermen. Temperate Bass - saltwater striped, white, … A: Stripes distinct, broken above anal fin. It’s a species of black bass native to the Mobile Bay watershed in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. section: | slug: how-to-identify-all-9-species-of-black-bass | route: article_single | Included in this number are two marine species—the Atlantic needlefish and the striped mullet—that migrate into the river at various times of the year and two extinct species. Crappie - black and white crappie. Yellow Bass. Shoal Bass - Shoal bass are only native to the Apalachicola River drainage in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with a deep notch between them, Dorsal fin with 9 spines and anal fin with 3 spines, Genetic analysis strongly needed to confirm identification, Upper jaw does not reach past middle of the eye, Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with shallow notch between them, Bases of soft dorsal and anal fins are scaled, Dark midlateral stripe or blotches from tip of snout to caudal fin (depends greatly on water turbidity), First described in 1940, with 5 subspecies currently, Spiny and soft dorsal fins are connected with very shallow notch, Small, dark spots below lateral line that form horizontal rows, Dark, vertical blotches on sides that disappear as they age and do not form horizontal bands, Second dorsal, caudal and anal fins will appear red with a white margin, Dorsal fin with 9 to 11 spines and anal fin with 3 spines, The upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye, Dark, vertical blotches that fade as the fish ages, Dark spots below lateral line that form horizontal rows, The spiny and soft dorsal fin are connected and have a shallow notch, Similar to redeye bass without any red coloration or white margins on fins, Large, dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle, Currently two classified subspecies (northern and neosho), A third non-taxonomically classified subspecies in Quachita Mountains, Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with shallow notches between them, Bases of dorsal and anal fins have small scales, Dorsal fin with 9 to 10 spines and anal fin with 3 spines, Currently two subspecies (Northern and invalidated Witchita), Upper jaw does not reach past middle of the pupil, Base of dorsal and anal fins have small scales, Lateral body has multiple dark blotches that touch dorsal fin, Lower lateral scales form dark, horizontal rows or stripes, Upper jaw to central part of the eye, but not past it, Typically short in length, rarely exceeding 16 inches, Turquoise blue coloration on cheeks, breast and vent during breeding. All black bass species are generally elongated, have a larger mouth size, ctenoid scales and are carnivorous. Common Names: Spotted bass; Alabama bass; Kentucky bass. Yet for many anglers and a few biologists, the … are quintessential North American sportfishes that support economically valuable fisheries and act as keystone predators within aquatic ecosystems. Redeye Bass - Redeye bass are known as the brook trout of the warmwater game fish. 68 to 84 lateral line scales. Visit the American Fisheries Society Black Bass Conservation Committee's Facebook page for lots of great information and photos of the other black bass subspecies such as the Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Choctaw, Tallapoosa and Warrior bass. The combination generally works well in ponds larger than 1/2 acre and provides excellent fishing for both species indefinitely. It was recently elevated to a full species (Page et al. B: Color - silvery yellow. 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