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Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass are native to Pennsylvania's Ohio River and Lake Erie drainages but have been successfully introduced throughout the state, including the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac River watersheds.

These adaptable predators thrive in Pennsylvania's diverse warm-water fisheries, from shallow reservoirs and farm ponds to the backwaters of major rivers.

Physical Characteristics:
  • In Pennsylvania, a 12-inch largemouth averages 4 years old and weighs 0.8 pounds, while a 15-inch fish is approximately 5.6 years old and weighs 1.7 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to Pennsylvania's Ohio River and Lake Erie drainages but have been successfully introduced throughout the state, including the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac River watersheds.
  • Peak largemouth populations exist in Pennsylvania's reservoirs and lakes rather than rivers, where they're typically found in lower densities compared to smallmouth bass.

Key Locations

  • Focus on Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park, Raystown Lake, Cross Creek Lake, Shawnee Lake, Mauch Chunk Lake (designated Big Bass water), Lake Wallenpaupack, and Pymatuning Reservoir.
  • Pennsylvania's Big Bass program waters like Cross Creek Lake, Lackawanna Lake, Pinchot Lake, and Shawnee Lake.

Specific Spots

  • Seek cover around submerged structures, fallen trees, weed beds, and docks.
  • Target south-facing bays that warm first in spring, areas with vegetation for ambush opportunities, and structures like docks, fallen trees, and rock formations.

Largemouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Soft plastics like weightless worms, jigs tipped with crayfish trailers, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures.

What flies work for Largemouth Bass in Pennsylvania?

Top fly patterns include foam poppers in bumblebee, frog, and chartreuse colors, Clouser Minnows in chartreuse/white and pink/white, wooly buggers enhanced with rubber legs and conehead noses for movement, crawfish patterns like Cohen's Jiggy Craw, and Chubby Chernobyl terrestrials for surface action.

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

Peak seasons being spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). Summer fishing (June-August) can be excellent but requires early morning or evening approaches.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass in Pennsylvania?

Fish shallow cover during spring and fall, transitioning to deeper structures and drop-offs during summer heat. Work foam poppers with short twitches and pauses, bounce crawfish patterns along bottom structure.

What do Largemouth Bass eat?

Largemouth Bass are voracious predators that consume fish, crayfish, frogs, insects, and even terrestrial animals like snakes and mice - essentially anything that fits in their mouth. Adult bass follow the '10 pounds to gain 1 pound' rule, requiring substantial forage to grow.

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