Melanistic “Black” Largemouth Bass

Is there such thing as a melanistic largemouth bass? An “all black” melanistic bass does not just have black spots but is a bass that looks likes it’s been totally dipped in tar. This type of bass is certainly possible and not harder to consider than golden largemouth bass.

Here are four scenarios – from photos shared on Facebook – of “all black” or melanistic largemouth bass. For another unusual color variation, see our article on gold largemouth bass.

Photo cred: Colton Holman

Photo cred: Justin Knox

Photo cred: Rex Mcllhaney

Photo cred: Glenda Flenniken Campbell

There are also known occurrences of melanistic animals in nature – such as this melanistic whitetail deer: