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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission upholds 2024 change recognizing Florida bass as its own species

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has recognized the Florida bass as a unique species separate from the Largemouth bass and will incorporate the species name change into their rules. At its February meeting, the commission upheld a 2024 name change that was based on multiple studies using genetic analysis that determined Florida bass to be its own species. This consensus led the American Fisheries Society to establish the name of the fish as 'Florida bass' and change the scientific name of both it and Largemouth Bass to further be differentiated from each other. 'This is exciting news for Florida and for bass anglers everywhere,' said Tom Graef, Director of FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. 'Florida bass grow bigger than any other bass and recognizing them as a unique species highlights just how special they are. This distinction strengthens our commitment to conserving and promoting Florida bass, ensuring future generations can continue to experience the thrill of catching a true giant.' This classification is a step in the right direction for furthering efforts to preserve biodiversity and the conservation of fish species, which are crucial for sustainable recreational fishing. Those who wish to learn more can do so by accessing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.