Bass Research Library: Peer-Reviewed Studies on Biology, Fishing and Fisheries
A source-reviewed index of original research about black bass. This library is organized around the question researchers asked, how they tested it, what the results actually say, and the important limits on applying those results to other waters. It is a reading guide, not a replacement for the papers.
Use the research notes below to find a primary source, then follow the Bass Facts links for deeper, angler-friendly explanations when available. We prioritize peer-reviewed papers, government agencies and studies with transparent methods over unsourced claims.
Browse the research
| Year | Topic | Study | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Survey methods | Understanding size bias in electrofishing samples of black bass | Paper |
| 2026 | Habitat | Relationships between angler reported trophy bass catches and long-term submerged aquatic vegetation data in Florida lakes | Paper |
| 2026 | Technology | Influence of live-imaging sonar on black bass catch: A multifishery analysis of professional tournaments | Paper |
| 2026 | Fisheries management | Status and trends of black bass fisheries in Wisconsin: Regulation (in)effectiveness? | Paper |
| 2025 | Fish health | Novel adomaviruses associated with blotchy bass syndrome in black basses | Paper |
| 2025 | Age & genetics | Nonlethal, epigenetic age estimation in a freshwater sportfish, Florida bass | Paper |
| 2025 | Stocking & genetics | Fishing for Florida Bass in West Virginia: Genomic evaluation of Florida Bass presence | Paper |
| 2022 | Taxonomy | Phylogenomics and species delimitation of the economically important Black Basses (Micropterus) | Paper |
Study notes and evidence limits
Understanding size bias in electrofishing samples of black bass
Author(s): Hull et al.
Study design: Two Oklahoma hatchery reservoirs; marking, electrofishing, telemetry and live-imaging sonar
Reported finding: Largest length class had lower electrofishing catchability (q=0.11) than mid-sized fish (q=0.28).
Limitations: Study-specific gear performance; corrections are not universal to lakes with different conditions.
Relationships between angler reported trophy bass catches and long-term submerged aquatic vegetation data in Florida lakes
Author(s): Johnson et al.
Study design: 121 Florida lakes (2015–2024); 4,548 approved TrophyCatch reports and vegetation surveys
Reported finding: Greater percent volume infested was positively associated with reports; native vegetation occurrence was negatively associated in the same model.
Limitations: Reports are not a census; correlations do not show that altering plants changes bass populations.
Influence of live-imaging sonar on black bass catch: A multifishery analysis of professional tournaments
Author(s): Gary, Love & Bardin
Study design: Eight 2025 Major League Fishing professional events with restricted periods of live-imaging sonar use
Reported finding: Live-imaging sonar was associated with increased catches in some settings, especially deep, open-water habitat; not a universal effect.
Limitations: Professional event conditions and competitive rules differ from ordinary recreational fishing.
Original peer-reviewed paper · Our analysis of the sonar results
Status and trends of black bass fisheries in Wisconsin: Regulation (in)effectiveness?
Author(s): Wisconsin research team
Study design: Wisconsin creel and electrofishing surveys spanning 1990–2024
Reported finding: Black bass catch rates and relative abundance rose; liberalized largemouth harvest rules showed some potential to lower abundance.
Limitations: State- and population-specific patterns; changing rules does not guarantee angler harvest changes.
Novel adomaviruses associated with blotchy bass syndrome in black basses
Author(s): Adomavirus research team
Study design: Disease-associated skin lesions and viral investigations in largemouth and smallmouth bass
Reported finding: Novel host-associated adomaviruses were associated with blotchy skin lesions.
Limitations: Population-level health consequences remain uncertain; virus detection alone is not a population diagnosis.
Nonlethal, epigenetic age estimation in a freshwater sportfish, Florida bass
Author(s): Weber et al.
Study design: Florida bass; laboratory genetic and aging analyses
Reported finding: Investigated DNA-methylation-based methods for estimating fish age without sacrificing them.
Limitations: A research-stage approach; do not assume it replaces established otolith methods in every fishery.
Fishing for Florida Bass in West Virginia: Genomic evaluation of Florida Bass presence
Author(s): Johnson et al.
Study design: Genotyped 856 putative largemouth bass from 31 West Virginia sampling locations
Reported finding: No Florida bass ancestry detected in sampled populations using the tested genomic methods.
Limitations: Absence in these samples does not prove absence everywhere or explain the complete stocking history.
Phylogenomics and species delimitation of the economically important Black Basses (Micropterus)
Author(s): Kim, Taylor & Near
Study design: Large genomic analysis of black bass diversity and relationships
Reported finding: Supported recognizing Florida bass as Micropterus salmoides and largemouth bass as Micropterus nigricans.
Limitations: Taxonomic recommendations and their adoption in record systems or regulations do not all change simultaneously.
How we maintain this research library
Selection: We include research relevant to largemouth or Florida bass biology, management, records, genetics, fish health, and bass fishing, including mixed-species Micropterus studies when directly relevant. This initial index is curated rather than exhaustive.
Evidence labels: Each entry distinguishes the study design from its reported results and external-validity limitations. Studies of tournament catch rates do not measure total population abundance; observational correlations do not automatically establish causation; and a novel method may not be ready for management use.
Names and dates: We report the publication date shown by the original journal when available. Scientific names and management categories may change as taxonomic research is adopted; the original publication’s terminology is preserved where needed.
Updates: New or corrected entries should be checked against the primary paper and, where appropriate, an agency source. The review date means the cited reference was inspected; it does not represent a new field observation or imply the underlying study was updated.
Related permanent resources: Science & Biology, Bass Records, Largemouth Bass species profile and How Bass Facts is built.
Initial index compiled and source-reviewed November 4, 2026. DOI links go to publishers; access to full articles may vary. Source summaries are paraphrased, not republished abstracts.