Ky.gov

Frequently Asked Questions about Alabama Bass

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Alabama Bass pose a major threat to the bass fisheries in Kentucky. As more research comes out from other states, the significance of that threat is increasing. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is sometimes asked about Alabama Bass and whether they would be a good fit for stocking in Kentucky waters. KDFWR has determined that the introduction of Alabama Bass into Kentucky waters would be extremely detrimental and there are no plans to stock Alabama Bass. It is also illegal to stock Alabama Bass into Kentucky waters. This decision not to stock Alabama Bass is based on research in other states and is made with the best interests of future generations of Kentucky bass anglers in mind. KDFWR recognizes the importance of our native bass species and is dedicated to protecting and conserving that native diversity and its ecological and economical importance to the anglers of Kentucky.

In areas of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina where they have been illegally introduced, Alabama Bass have rapidly displaced and outcompeted the native Largemouth Bass populations. Additionally, Alabama Bass will readily hybridize with Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass and have nearly eliminated those species from invaded lakes through genetic mixing. An Alabama Bass introduction would mean a near total loss of Kentucky’s official state fish, the “Kentucky” Spotted Bass. However, Alabama Bass are not only problematic for maintaining native bass diversity, but also for trophy bass anglers because Alabama Bass will not grow as big as Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

As surrounding states continue to deal with this growing problem, KDFWR will continue to monitor for the presence of Alabama Bass in Kentucky waters. We have a team of biologists reviewing new research as it becomes available. Stocking of new or different bass genetics into Kentucky waters is a topic we take very seriously. Once non-native fish species are released that will hybridize with native species, the results are irreversible, and based on current research and data there are no benefits. Research in other states suggests that even introducing small numbers of Alabama Bass can lead to a collapse in the native bass numbers in less than 10 years. It is extremely important for anglers not to move bass between waterbodies to prevent the further spread of this and other invasive species. 
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KDFWR compiled the following answers to frequently asked questions about Alabama Bass to help better educate those interested in the subject. With each answer provided, there is a detailed evidence section that​ references peer-reviewed studies (research projects that followed standard scientific protocols and whose results were reviewed and approved by outside experts) that give reasoning behind KDFWR’s stance on Alabama Bass. This informatio​​​n was researched and compiled by a team of KDFWR fisheries biologists with expertise in biology and management of black bass. If you have further questions about Alabama Bass, please contact your local fisheries district biologist. This document is also available as a PDF.  (Alabama Bass FAQ PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions


1. What is an “Alabama Bass”? Is it a separate species of bass?
2. How do I tell Alabama Bass apart from other bass?
3. Do we have Alabama Bass in Kentucky?
4. Do Alabama Bass grow bigger than other bass species?
5. Is Kentucky stocking Alabama Bass into any of its lakes?
6. If they are introduced, could Alabama Bass outcompete our Largemouth Bass?
7. If they are introduced, could Alabama Bass eliminate our Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass populations in Kentucky?
8. Once introduced in a lake, how long does it take Alabama Bass to alter the fishery? Can the results be undone?
9. How can I prevent the spread of Alabama Bass into Kentucky?
10. Are there any other species of bass we can stock to improve our fishing in Kentucky?
11. How did Alabama Bass expand outside of their native range?
12. Once established, have there been any successful eradication or mitigation efforts in other states?
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1. What is an “Alabama Bass”? Is it a separate species of bass?


Answer:
The Alabama Bass is native to the Mobile River basin and is very close in appearance to Kentucky’s native Spotted Bass. Although originally thought to be a subspecies of Spotted Bass, they are now​ considered a distinct species.
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Click here for Scientific Basis:


​2. How do I tell Alabama Bass apart from other bass?​


Answer:
The Alabama Bass looks nearly identical to our native Kentucky Spotted Bass, which is why most biologists rely on genetic analysis to determine the difference. Visually differentiating Alabama Bass from pure Largemouth or pure Smallmouth Bass is possible, and the details are described below. However, visually identifying hybrids has proven difficult even for trained biologists (Sammons et al. 2023 in press). Many anglers rely on the presence of a tooth patch on the tongue, but it's important to note that both Spotted Bass and Alabama Bass have a tooth patch, and a large percentage of Largemouth Bass will also have a tooth patch.

Identification Characteristics:











Photos were provided by the iNaturalist angling for Black Bass Conservation Project. 





3. Do we have Alabama Bass in Kentucky?


Answer:
No, not to the best of our knowledge. Spotted Bass look nearly identical and are widely distributed across the state, so it's impossible to say that illegal introductions of Alabama Bass have not occurred. KDFWR has not encountered any suspected Alabama Bass, but a forthcoming genetic analysis of Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass will reveal Alabama Bass genes,​ if present in Kentucky waters.  This analysis is part of a larger black bass genetics project currently being implemented across the state.

Click here for Scientific Basis:
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4. Do Alabama Bass grow bigger than other bass species?


Answer:
The Alabama Bass does not grow as large as Largemouth Bass or Smallmouth Bass. However, the Alabama Bass does grow larger than Spotted Bass, and in some cases the first sign of their presence in a waterbody is the submission of a new “Spotted Bass” record. Unfortunately, due to a multitude of prior Alabama Bass introductions around the southeastern U. S., there is very solid information about how these introductions will ultimately affect native bass populations.  In most cases, the increased growth outside of their native range diminishes as the population expands and overpopulates​.  

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Click here for Scientific Basis:
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5. Is Kentucky stocking Alabama Bass into any of its lakes?


Answer:
No, KDFWR has not stocked Alabama Bass nor does the department have plans to stock Alabama Bass (or any other non-native black bass species) into Kentucky waters.​

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6. If they are introduced, could Alabama Bass outcompete our Largemouth Bass?


Answer:
Yes, it is very likely that if introduced, Alabama Bass would greatly reduce our populations of Largemouth Bass. Research in several invaded lakes has repeatedly shown that Alabama Bass quickly become the dominant black bass in the lake. The reason they so quickly outnumber Largemouth Bass is unknown, but researchers speculate that Alabama Bass can reproduce much more successfully than the Largemouth Bass in reservoir environments. They also have the ability to naturally hybridize with Largemouth Bass, which can result in mixed genetics, reduced reproductive ability, and increased susceptibility to disease. However, Alabama bass do not hybridize with Largemouth Bass as commonly as they hybridize with the other black bass species like Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass. Although the Alabama Bass​ might create some fishing opportunities, they have a much smaller maximum size with most adult populations consisting of one- and two-pound fish.   

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Click here for Scientific Basis:
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7. If they are introduced, could Alabama Bass eliminate our Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass populations in Kentucky​?


Answer:
Yes, the Alabama Bass can hybridize with Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass which are the only black bass species native to Kentucky. In our case, the hybridization with Smallmouth Bass and Spotted bass is the most concerning as Alabama Bass have been shown to virtually eliminate those species in invaded waterbodies through interbreeding. This would mean a complete loss of the Smallmouth and Spotted Bass if Alabama Bass became established. The natural hybridization with Largemouth Bass has been minimal in invaded waterbodies and within the native range of Alabama Bass. 

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Click here for Scientific Basis:
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8. Once stocked in a lake, how long does it take Alabama Bass to alter the fishery?  Can the results be undone?


Answer:
One of the biggest concerns with illegal stocking of Alabama Bass into existing black bass populations is how quickly they can alter the native black bass fishery.  There are many examples where a significant change has occurred within 10 years.  Many times, it is so fast that eradication or mitigation efforts cannot be put into place in time.  These quick and disastrous changes are not specific only to Largemouth Bass.  They have occurred with Smallmouth Bass and other black bass species in their native ranges.  Once these changes begin taking place, there is no way to reverse them.  This is especially true when interspecific hybridization is occurring.​

Click here for Scientific Basis:
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9. How can I prevent the spread of Alabama Bass into Kentucky?


Answer:
Do Not Move Bass Between Waterbodies! In order to prevent the spread of Alabama Bass, movement of any black bass species between waterbodies should not occur and is illegal. It may be difficult to tell the difference between Alabama Bass and other black bass species, and visually identifying hybrids is virtually impossible without genetic testing.   Many of the problematic introductions of this species in other states are believed to be the result of well-intentioned anglers illegally moving fish between lakes (Sammons et al. 2023 in press). 

If you believe that you have caught an Alabama Bass in Kentucky waters, please take several photographs or keep the fish and report it to your local Fisheries District biologist or the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources information line at 1-800-858-1549.
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Kentucky Laws:

Pursuant to KRS 150.180​​​ (Section 7) “No person may at any time stock any species of fish secured from any source into the public waters of the Commonwealth without first securing a permit from the commissioner.” 

Pursuant to 301 KAR 1:122 Section 1 “A person shall not buy, sell, possess, import, or release any aquatic species not native or established in Kentucky waters...”. 
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10. Are there any other species of bass we can stock to improve our fishing in Kentucky​?​


Answer:​​
No. T​​he current evidence suggests that stocking non-native bass of any species would be a bad idea.

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Click here for Scientific Basis:
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11. How did Alabama Bass expand outside of their native range​?​


Answer:​​
The natural native ranges of many species of black bass are highly stable and are often defined by the boundaries of their individual watersheds. However, government agencies and private citizens have been moving black bass between waterbodies for at least 150 years. In some cases, Alabama Bass were moved outside of their range by state agencies who thought they were moving Spotted Bass. However, many of the recent introductions are thought to be the result of bass anglers illegally transporting fish to new lakes. This transport of bass by anglers is often done with good intentions, but the results of the introductions have been devastating to some waterbodies.​

Click here for Scientific Basis:
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12. Once established, have there been any successful eradication or mitigation efforts in other states?​


Answer:​​
No. Once established, no state has successfully been able to reduce their numbers or their negative effects on native black bass.​​



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References

Avise J. C., P. C. Pierce, M. J. Van Den Avyle, M. H. Smith, W. S. Nelson, and M. A. Asmussen. 1997 Cytonuclear introgressive swamping and species turnover of bass following an introduction. Journal of Heredity 88: 14-20.

Bagley J. C., R. L. Mayden K. J. Roe, W. Holznagel, and R. M. Harris. 2011. Congeneric phylogeographical sampling revels polyphyly and novel biodiversity with black basses (Centrarchidae: Micropterus). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 104:346-363.

Baker, W. H., C. E. Johnston, G. W. Folkerts. 2008. The Alabama Bass, Micropterus henshalli (Teleostei: Centrarchidae), from the Mobile River basin. Zootaxa 1861:57-67.

Bangs, M. R., K. J. Oswald, T. W. Greig, J. K. Leitner, D. M. Rankin, J. M. Quattro. 2017. Introgressive hybridization and species turnover in reservoirs: a case study involving endemic and invasive basses (Centrarchidae: Micropterus) in southeastern North America. Conservation Genetics 19: 57-69.

Barwick D. H., K. J. Oswald, J. M. Quattro, R. D. Barwick. 2006. Redeye Bass (Micropterus coosae) and Alabama Spotted Bass (M. punctulatus henshalli) hybridization in Keowee Reservoir. Southeastern Naturalist 5(4):661-668.

DiCenzo, V. J., M. J. Maceina, W. C. Reeves. 1995. Factors related to growth and condition of the Alabama subspecies of Spotted Bass in reservoirs. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 15:794-798.

Dorsey, L. G., and M. A. Abney. 2016. Changes in black bass population characteristics after the introduction of Alabama Bass in Lake Norman, North Carolina. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 3:161-166.

Greene, J. C. and M. J. Maceina. 2000. Influence of trophic state on Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass spawning time and age-0 characteristics in Alabama reservoirs. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 20:100-108.

Kassler, T. W., J. B. Koppelman, T. J. Near, C. B. Dillman, J. Levengood, D. L. Swofford, J. L. Vanorman, J. E. Claussen, and D. P. Philipp. 2002. Molecular and morphological analyses of the black basses: implications for taxonomy and conservation. Black Bass: Ecology, Conservation and Management, Symposium 21:291-332.

Kim, D., A. T. Taylor, T. J. Near. 2022 Phylogenomics and species delimitation of the economically important Black Basses (Micropterus). Scientific Reports 12: 9113.

Lewis, M. R., P. Ekema, M. Holley, and E. J. Peatman. 2021. Genetic evidence of introduced Redeye bass and Alabama Bass hybridization with native Micropterus spp. In Town Creek, Alabama, USA. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:78-85.

Leitner, J. K., K. J. Oswald, M. Bangs, D. Rankin, and J. M. Quattro. 2015. Hybridization between native Bartram’s Bass and two introduced species in Savannah drainage streams. Pages 481-490 in M.D. Tringali, J. M. Long, T.W. Birdsong, and M.S. Allen, editors. Black bass diversity: multidisciplinary science for conservation. American Fisheries Society. Symposium 82, Bethesda, Maryland.

Love, J. W. 2020. Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli) Ecological Risk Screening Summary. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. October 2020.

Maceina, M. J. and D.R. Bayne. 2001. Changes in the black bass community and fishery with oligotrophication in West Point Lake, Georgia. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 21:745-755.

Montgomery, R. 2019. Alabama Bass Invasion. B.A.S.S. Master Conservation News [Online]. Link to Article​.

Morizot D. C., S. W. Calhoun, L. L. Clepper, M. E. Schmidt, J. H. Williamson, and G. J. Carmichael. 1991. Multispecies hybridization among native and introduced Centrarchid basses in central Texas. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 120: 283-289.

Moyer, G. R., A. S. Williams, M. L. Jolley, B. J. Ragland, and T. N. Churchill. 2014. Genetic confirmation and assessment of an unauthorized fish introduction in Parksville Reservoir, Tennessee. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 1:64-69.

Moyle, P. B. 2002. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Munger, C., and D. J. Lutz-Carrillo. 2012. Investigations of potential hybridization among black bass species in Alan Henry reservoir, Texas. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 66:37-41.

Near, T. J., Kassler, T. W., Koppelman, J. B., Dillman, C.B. and Philipp, D.P. 2003. Speciation in North American basses, Micropterus (Actinopterygii: Centrarchidae). Evolution 57: 1610-1621.

Near, T. J., Bolnick, D. I. and Wainwright, P. C. 2004. Investigati​ng phylogenetic relationships of sunfishes and black basses (Actinopterygii: Centrarchidae) using DNA sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32:344-357.

Peoples B. K. and Judson E., T. L. Darden and D. J. Farrae, K. Kubach, J. Leitner, and M. C. Scott. 2021. Modeling distribution of endemic Bartram’s Bass Micropterus sp. Cf. coosae: Disturbance and proximity to invasion source increase hybridization with invasive Alabama Bass. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41: 1309-1321.

Philipp D. P., J. E. Claussen, T. W. Kassler and J. M. Epifanio. 2002. Mixing stocks of largemouth bass reduces fitness through outbreeding depression. Black Bass: Ecology, Conservation and Management. Symposium 21:349-363.

Pierce P. C. and M. J. Van Den Ayle. 1997. Hybridization between introduced Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass in reservoirs. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 126: 939-947.

Pipas J. C., and F. J. Bulow. 1998 Hybridization between Redeye Bass and Smallmouth Bass in Tennessee streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 127(1):141-146.

Rider, S. J., and M. J. Maceina. 2015. Alabama Bass Micropterus henshalli Hubbs and Bailey, 1940. American Fisheries Society Symposium 82: 83-91.

Sammons, S. M., L. G. Dorsey and C. S. Loftis, P. Chrisman, M. Scott, J. Hammonds, M. Jolley, H. Hatcher, J. Odenkirk, J. Damer, M. R. Lewis, and E. J. Peatman. 2023. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. In press.

Taylor, T. T., J. M. Long, M. D. Tringali, B. L. Barthel. 2019. Conservation of black bass diversity: an emerging management paradigm. American Fisheries Society 44(1):21-36.




Contributors​​
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​Adam Martin – Chair, KDFWR Black Bass Management Team; District Biologist, Western Fisheries District
Maddy Ruble – KDFWR Black Bass Management Team; Assistant District Biologist, Northwestern Fisheries District
Jeff Ross – Assistant Director, Fisheries Division
Dave Dreves – Director, Fisheries Division​ 

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