Experiments on rearing largemouth bass fingerlings to a size of 4-6 inches total length in rearing troughs and tanks are described. Fingerling fish 1.5-3.0 inches in length which had been started in earthern ponds on natural food were trained to take artificial food employing ground fresh or frozen fish as a starting diet. Following the initial training period the fish were fed a prepared ration composed of varying amounts of frozen fish or beef liver mixed with a dry trout food. Data on survival, growth, food conversion and special problems encountered are presented. The rate of growth appeared to be slower in the controlled environment than had been observed in ponds. A six to ten-fold increase in weight was measured in two different years for a feeding period of 73-120 days. Survival and food conversion was better in troughs (69 percent survival, conversion 2.6) than in concrete tanks (39 percent survival, conversion 3.3), but more than five times as many fish could be cared for with the same amount of labor in tanks than was possible in troughs. Also, the fish were more readily trained to take artificial food in tanks than in troughs. The author feels that the results obtained are promIsmg enough to warrant further research on this method of bass culture.
