Largemouth vs smallmouth bass
To tell largemouth from smallmouth bass, close the mouth and look at the upper jaw: on a largemouth it extends past the rear edge of the eye, on a smallmouth it ends level with the eye. Largemouth also carry a dark horizontal band, while smallmouth show vertical bars on a bronze body.
The marks that settle it
- Jaw: past the back of the eye on largemouth, below the eye on smallmouth.
- Pattern: a broken dark stripe along the side of a largemouth; faint vertical bars on a smallmouth.
- Color: green to olive for largemouth, brown to bronze for smallmouth, though water color shifts both.
- Dorsal fin: deeply notched, almost two fins, on largemouth; shallower notch on smallmouth.
The third bass: spotted bass
Spotted bass look like a largemouth at first glance, but their jaw stops near the back of the eye and rows of small dark spots run below the lateral line. A rough patch of teeth on the tongue is the giveaway if you can check it. Several southern states set separate limits for them.
Why it matters at the scale
Many states regulate the black basses separately, with different minimum lengths or protected slots on particular waters. Getting the species right is the first step in getting the rule right.
Questions & answers
What is the fastest way to tell largemouth from smallmouth?
Look at the jaw with the mouth closed. Past the back of the eye means largemouth.
Can CatchVault tell the bass species apart?
Yes. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are among the species it identifies from a photo.
Sources for this entry
- FishBase: Scientific database of fish species, names, ranges and morphology.
- CatchVault species profiles: Company-published pages for the species the app recognizes.
Practical guidance is original editorial writing. App details come from the developer’s published descriptions, checked .
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How the related websites connect
This reference is published alongside CatchVault. Species profiles live on the CatchVault website, and sister references cover fishing apps in general and fishing regulations.
Explore related references · CatchVault’s official websiteCite this entry
Best Fish Identifier App. “Largemouth vs smallmouth bass.” Content reviewed .
https://bestfishidentifierapp.com/largemouth-vs-smallmouth-bass/