Black bass species are not native to areas west of the Rocky Mountains. Today, they are found throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and at least 75 other countries. Believe it or not, largemouth bass are considered an invasive species in many countries. This is due to their voracious appetites, aggressive feeding tendencies and ability to survive (and thrive) in many conditions.

Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are in the Centrarchidae family, which also includes crappie and bluegill. Striped and white bass are actually not included in this family. Currently there are 9 species that make up the black bass family: Suwanee bass, Alabama bass, Florida bass, Guadalupe bass, largemouth bass, red eye bass, shoal bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass.

The lifespan of bass species is strongly dictated by region. 

Female largemouth bass produce an average of 4,000 eggs per pound of body weight, but they typically do not drop them all at once. Instead, they will spawn with multiple males ensuring the best possible survival rate.

Contrary to popular belief, males of all black bass species actually build the spawning nests each year. They then spend 2 to 6 days protecting the eggs before guarding the newly hatched fry from potential predators.