An evaluation was conducted to compare relative contribution, growth, and vulnerability to angling of triploid Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) and diploid northern largemouth bass (M. s. salmoides) when stocked together in a newly-renovated reservoir. Triploid Florida largemouth bass were stocked in Lake Balmorhea, a 213-hectare reservoir in West Texas, for five consecutive years and failed to recruit in all years except the initial stocking year. Diploid northern largemouth bass were stocked only in the first year and produced significant year classes in years 4 and 5 of the study. Northern largemouth bass grew faster initially, but triploid Florida largemouth bass were similar in size by age 3. Diploid northern largemouth bass were more vulnerable to angling than triploid Florida largemouth bass through the first 3 years of life. Failure of triploid Florida largemouth bass to recruit into existing fish populations makes their value questionable until the reason for these failures is resolved.
