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Photo of a Alabama Bass

Species profile

Alabama Bass

Micropterus henshalli

Bony fishIUCN: Least Concern855 iNat observations

Identify Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.

At a glance

Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

The strictest bag limit is 5 (North Carolina); the most generous is 15 (Tennessee).

Confirmed by 724 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Alabama, Georgia, and California the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

  • Long lumped with spotted bass, it is now recognized as its own distinct species.
  • Native to the Mobile Basin drainage system in Alabama.
  • Readily hybridizes with largemouth and spotted bass, posing a serious conservation challenge.
  • Highly aggressive and can outcompete largemouth bass in many shared reservoirs.

Background

The Alabama bass (Micropterus henshalli) is a medium-sized freshwater fish in the black bass genus. It is not usually a targeted species but can be caught when fishing for other species, especially its congener the largemouth bass. It is an uncommon species and can be found in most of Alabama (except the Southeast) and in the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. It is also possible to find them in…

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Alabama Bass article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alabama Bass?

Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

What is the scientific name for Alabama Bass?

Alabama Bass is Micropterus henshalli.

Is Alabama Bass regulated for fishing?

Yes — Alabama Bass has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.

How can I identify Alabama Bass?

Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Alabama Bass along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.

Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.