Can You Eat Largemouth Bass?

The Largemouth Bass large is an olive-green and gray-colored fish that’s native to the fresh bodies of water around eastern-central North America, stretching as far down as the lower Great Lakes. On top of this, they can be found in some inland waters of southern Ontario.

A lot of fishermen in these areas are likely to find a fair few of these when bass fishing, however, it always makes people wonder whether you can eat this species of fish.

Technically, you can eat anything but the real question is should you?

Follow our guide and find out whether the Largemouth Bass is something you should be eyeing up for your next meal.

What Is A Largemouth Bass?

As previously mentioned, the Largemouth Bass is a variation of the bass species of fish. Belonging to the Centrarchidae family, this fish can sometimes be identified with a sharp, horizontal stripe down each side on its skin.

Their upper jaw extends out further than the bottom one, which has earned it the name of ‘Largemouth’. Their average lifespan is anywhere between 10 to 15 years of age,

When younger, the Largemouth Bass tends to feed on smaller forms of life, from small baitfish to scuds, water fleas, and small shrimp. When older, the bass will feed on most things similar, but a lot larger.

These things can include crayfish, bluegill, worms, snails, snakes, salamanders, and even bats! Yep, bats! On top of this, there have also been recorded cases where Largemouth Bass will feed on small water birds and even turtle and alligator hatchlings.

Largemouth Bass are a great target for fishermen around the US because of their fighting nature and their strength. When having a Largemouth Bass on the end of your fishing line, you can expect to have a good battle with the fish.

If you’re reading this then it’s likely because you’ve wondered about cooking and eating this fish, which means you’d have to take it home.

If you’ve caught one of these bass and are tempted, remember to check with the rules to see if you’re allowed to take it home. Many places ask you to throw them back so the ecosystem remains intact.

Is Largemouth Bass Edible?

The simple answer is yes, Largemouth Bass can make a very tasty meal and has lots of health benefits.

However, like other species of fish, the bass needs to be prepared and cooked properly, at risk of becoming ill or finding some unwanted bones in your food.

The Largemouth Bass is one of the more popular bass fish to eat, with a clean and fresh taste. If not eaten fresh then the flavors may intensify, much like with other fish.

You’ll find that with a lot of fish like tuna and cod, the texture and the consistency of the meat will be flaky and fall apart quite easily. The bass, on the other hand, holds together well and has sturdy nature.

Because of the fight that these bass fish will put up in the wild, many fishermen and anglers may feel that the Largemouth Bass should be put back where it belongs, rather than to take it home with you.

Lots of groceries and fresh markets will sell this form of fish, however, and they will sell them fresh and thoroughly prepared.

What Size Bass Is Best To Eat?

We recommend that you consume bass fish that are between 1 and 2 pounds in weight.

The choice of this size is because the fish is big enough for you to have a decent-sized filet or steak but small enough that the bass isn’t large enough to be a breeder fish. This will affect the flavor and intensify the tastes, sometimes to the point where it isn’t nice to eat at all.

Largemouth Bass are referred to as ‘pillar fish’, which means that the creature will taste as well as the environment that they inhabit. For example, if the water is dirty and polluted then the fish is likely to not taste as fresh as a bass caught in a fresh body of water.

Simply put, the healthier the body of water, the fresher you can expect your meal to taste. Bass are typically caught from surroundings that tend to be a lot fresher and cleaner, so there’s less to worry about.

How To Prepare Largemouth Bass?

Lots of people will tend to cook this type of fish as a pan-fried meal or by air-frying it. This allows for the flavors of the bass to explode and create a taste-rich dinner for you.

On top of this, many eaters of this fish will bake their catch and include it in a gumbo or a sautee of some kind.

The Largemouth Bass works incredibly well with baked potatoes and fresh vegetables, creating a relatively healthy meal.

We also recommend that you include it with some fresh bread and a bit of melted butter to add that extra bit of flavor to enjoy!

What’s Good About Fishing For Largemouth Bass?

There are plenty of good qualities that Largemouth Bass possess, making them a great target for fishermen across the United States.

First of all, as previously mentioned, bass fish are brilliant fighters and won’t just swim their way into your landing net. You’ll have to use a lot of endurance, speed, and determination to catch this bold and erratic water creature.

Because of their plentiful numbers, Largemouth Bass and all of their subspecies can be found all across the country, despite being native to the locations we mentioned at the start of the article.

These fish can be caught using a whole range of techniques, so you can ensure that the fun never stops and that the bass keeps you eagerly waiting on your toes for the next bite.

Final Thoughts

Because of their nature as good sporting fish, bass can often be protected under local authorities and will require you to return them to where you found them.

Bass fish is a huge part of their local ecosystems and taste a lot fresher when they have access to clean surroundings and lots of food.

With massive jumps, unpredictable bites, and forceful strikes, this fish can be a great bit of fun for any fishermen looking for an exciting day out by the water.

Cooking and eating this fish is massively recommended by us, providing you follow all of the laws or buy it at a store. The fresher the better!