A golden largemouth and regularly colored largemouth side-by-side.

Gold largemouth bass? Have you heard the myth or seen the pictures?

Yes, gold bass are real – it’s true, but bass turn gold because of an extremely rare occurrence that is believed to be caused by a genetic mutation.

This genetic anomaly is known as Xanthochromism or xanthism. It is often associated with usual red pigmentation being replaced with yellow.

Xanthism can also affect birds, reptiles, and other species of fish. This mutation causes the bass to lose its ability to produce the colors needed to turn its scales green making it have a gold hue. Bass that have survived to the ages in the photos below appear healthy in nature.

Although some of the photos floating around the internet are photo-shopped this myth can be confirmed as:

TRUE

Bright gold largemouth bass.

Gold on face and fins.

Gold Bass – Photo Cred: Quinte Fishing Series