Maryland’s most popular freshwater sportfish, the largemouth bass, has a new scientific identity following a groundbreaking study that distinguishes it from its Florida counterpart, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on May 23, 2025. The American Fisheries Society has officially recognized the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass, prompting a change in the scientific name for Maryland’s bass from Micropterus salmoides to Micropterus nigricans.
A Yale University study, published in 2025, analyzed the genetics of 394 fish and confirmed distinct differences between bass from Florida and coastal Georgia and those found elsewhere, including Maryland. The research validated observations made in 1949 by black bass researchers Carl Hubbs and Reeve Bailey, who noted physical differences like scale counts and coloration patterns. While these traits were insufficient for species separation at the time, modern genetic testing has provided conclusive evidence.
For Maryland anglers, the reclassification changes little in practice. The fish, still called largemouth bass locally, remains a favorite for its size, fighting spirit, and the tournaments hosted across the state’s lakes, tidal rivers, and nontidal rivers. However, the scientific name update to Micropterus nigricans will be reflected in Maryland’s fishing regulations, as proposed by the DNR. In Florida, what was once considered a largemouth bass is now classified as Florida bass (Micropterus salmoides).
“Recognizing them as separate species helps natural resource agencies like DNR manage and conserve these fish more effectively,” a DNR spokesperson said in a statement. The genetic distinction allows fisheries managers to tailor stocking and conservation strategies to each species’ environmental adaptations. Largemouth bass in Maryland are well-suited to the state’s cooler waters and shorter growing seasons, while Florida bass thrive in warmer southern climates with longer growing seasons.
The reclassification highlights behavioral and growth differences. Florida bass are known for reaching trophy sizes in their native range, benefiting from warm waters, but may not achieve the same growth in Maryland’s colder climate. Conversely, largemouth bass are prized for their aggressiveness and adapt better to northern waters. Stocking Florida bass in Maryland could lead to reduced catch rates or lower reproductive success, according to DNR fisheries biologists.
Maryland’s stocking strategy remains unchanged. Bass for tidal waters, such as the Potomac River, will continue to be sourced from local largemouth bass broodstock to ensure optimal survival and reproduction. This approach mirrors practices in states like Arkansas, where warmer southern regions are stocked with Florida bass and cooler northern areas receive largemouth bass.
Well, if the DNA says they're different species, and there are enough physical difference to warrant giving them separate scientific names, then so be it. Just don't pull some political renaming like Chesapeake Chana (instead of the long time name Northern Snakehead, which was perfectly descriptive, they belong to the genus of other snakeheads, and they were the northernmost species in the group.) Just FYI, there is another lookalike relative, the Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus), "native to the Mississippi River basin and across the Gulf states, from central Texas through the Florida panhandle. Its native range extends into the western Mid-Atlantic states and it has been introduced into western North Carolina and Virginia. It has also been introduced to southern Africa, where it has become established in some isolated waters as an invasive species."
The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Lewis Grizzard Memorial Post ready on time and under budget at The Other McCain.
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