Skip to main content

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass in Maine are non-native fish introduced in the late 1800s that have become highly valued sport fish throughout the state. They're found in 613 lakes and ponds representing over 0.

5 million acres of water across southern, central, and eastern Maine.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Adult bass typically measure 12-16 inches and weigh 1-3 pounds, though occasional fish reach 7-8 pounds.
  • They're dark olive green on the back with light green sides and a distinctive dark mottled band along their flanks.
  • The upper jaw extends past the eye, distinguishing them from smallmouth bass.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They're found in 613 lakes and ponds representing over 0.5 million acres of water across southern, central, and eastern Maine.

Key Locations

  • Popular bass waters include the Belgrade Lakes chain, Kennebec County ponds like Jimmie Pond and Little Cobbosseecontee Lake, and waters throughout Cumberland, Oxford, York, Lincoln, and other southern Maine counties.

Specific Spots

  • Bass prefer areas with extensive cover including woody debris, weed beds, rocks, and vegetative shallow areas.
  • Target weed edges, drop-offs 6-12 feet deep, and shaded areas.
  • Focus on steep banks, remaining green vegetation, and baitfish schools.

Largemouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Largemouth Bass in Maine?

Square-bill crankbaits in natural bream or river minnow colors, lipless crankbaits, topwater poppers, spinnerbaits, jigs, frogs, jerkbaits, medium-diving crankbaits.

What flies work for Largemouth Bass in Maine?

Bumblebee, frog, and chartreuse popping bugs, Clouser Minnows in chartreuse/white or pink/white, crawfish patterns like Cohen's Jiggy Craw, leech patterns, shad imitations, deer-hair divers, weighted patterns.

When is the best time to fish for Largemouth Bass in Maine?

Target largemouth bass in Maine from late spring through fall, with peak action occurring during pre-spawn and post-spawn periods when water temperatures are 55-70 degrees. During summer, fish early morning and late evening. Fall fishing excels as bass feed heavily before winter.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass in Maine?

In spring, work square-bill crankbaits around wood cover and isolated grass patches, bumping them off structure. Lipless crankbaits work well over grass flats. Top fly patterns worked with rod-tip twitches creating a 'bloop' sound, pausing 2-3 seconds between pops.

What do Largemouth Bass eat?

They're opportunistic predators with juveniles eating insects and small prey, while adults consume fish, crayfish, frogs, newts, dragonflies, and virtually anything they can fit in their mouths.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Largemouth Bass.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Largemouth Bass water

    Pick Largemouth Bass and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Largemouth Bass

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Largemouth Bass are.

Open the map, filter by Largemouth Bass, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Maine licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Maine waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.