Small mouth and large mouth cross

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

I just got back from a lake in Orr, MN. Spent the entire weekend there. Caught bass on almost every cast. Too bad none were over 3lbs.

Just curious though, A lot of the bass that we caught looked like crosses between small and large mouths. I didnt get some good pictures of them and now regret not taking some pics.

They basically look like large mouths, but not as green and the black line is less apparent. They are darker in color as well, but with a white belly.

The lake has small mouths and large mouth populations. I assumed that the reason we didnt catch any bass larger than 3lbs was because of the cross breedings.

My cousin (owns land around the lake) said that the lake used to hold many 4-7lbers. They used to be able to catch over 20 4lbers in one spot. The lake does have a huge population of bass for sure, but we couldnt catch anything over 3lbs pounds.

What are your thoughts?

[LegattoAD]

Interesting about the cross breeding. Do a google image search for "mean mouth bass", the pics are kind of cool to look at. I know it can happen when their spawning habitat and timing are in the same locale. Rare - but not unheard of. In fact, this spring on Rice, the smallies and largies were on beds at the same time in the same areas, so this may be something we see in the next few years in Rice/Koronis.

Next time you're up there, take some pics!

As far as going from lots of 4-7lbers to not catching anything over 3lbs, well... While you'll get varying arguments, one being in favor of CPR and the other being selective harvest.. In all honesty, that's a divisive can of worms that can (and probably should) only be answered by someone with a degree in fisheries management, and he isn't me.

[Superduty]

I highly doubt you caught multiple hybrids. Very unlikely. With all due respect, post some pics and get everybody's opinion on the identity of the bass.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Interesting about the cross breeding. Do a google image search for "mean mouth bass", the pics are kind of cool to look at. I know it can happen when their spawning habitat and timing are in the same locale. Rare - but not unheard of. In fact, this spring on Rice, the smallies and largies were on beds at the same time in the same areas, so this may be something we see in the next few years in Rice/Koronis.

Next time you're up there, take some pics!

As far as going from lots of 4-7lbers to not catching anything over 3lbs, well... While you'll get varying arguments, one being in favor of CPR and the other being selective harvest.. In all honesty, that's a divisive can of worms that can (and probably should) only be answered by someone with a degree in fisheries management, and he isn't me.

mean mouth bass does look interesting. Never heard of them. Thanks for the term.

4-7lbers in that lake did look very real. My cousin did say that back in 1998, fish were even more plentiful and bigger, but since the land around the area has been purchased, the large fish population started to decrease.

[Cecil]

Im guessing its due to the water color up there.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Below is a picture of a smallmouth bass that I caught. This was the biggest smallmouth we caught. Caught nothing over 3lbs. This smallie was about 2lbs 8ounces.

These are some various bass that we caught. Are these just largemouths or are they crossed with smallies? One thing for sure, the smaller largemouth bass that ranged from 9-14inched had a barely visible black line. They all were very dark like a smallmouth.

Last one, looked more like a largemouth.

What are your thoughts?

[bemidjibasser]

Top one definitely a smallie, while the rest all appear to be largemouths to me. I gotta agree with Cecil thta it most likely has to do with the water color.

[EBass]

Quote:

Top one definitely a smallie, while the rest all appear to be largemouths to me. I gotta agree with Cecil thta it most likely has to do with the water color.

Agreed!

[mplspug]

Yep, they are all largemouth except the top one. I am headed up to Orr at the end of the month and I know a lot of the lakes up there have tons of bass, they just happen to have a lot of smaller ones. I hope to figure some thing else out that may lead to less bass, but bigger ones.

[Craigums]

Top ones a smallie and the rest are largemouths, hands down, for sure.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Thanks guys! I guess they are just darker largemouths then.

[KickNBass]

I'd be more curious about the color of the rods in your boat...what do you think happened to them to get those colors???

[Superduty]

Nice largemouths. Looks like a fun lake! Those fish are dark colored because they came from a bog stained lake. The water is high in tannins. Very common in that part of the state.