04/30/2026
The Thoroughbred Bass Program
Enhancing Trophy Bass Potential in Kentucky Waters
With the bass spawn in full swing across most of Kentucky, now is an opportune time to provide updates regarding recent developments in bass management.
If you are not familiar with the Thoroughbred Bass Program, we recommend reviewing the March 2026 report on the program for more information. The report will offer further insight and an update about the ongoing efforts. A link to the report will be at the end of this post.
The program is designed to identify trophy markers in the northern strain of largemouth bass. Fish exhibiting these markers are selected as broodstock, allowing for the stocking of bass with greater trophy potential than those produced through random breeding.
Anticipating questions about stocking F1 hybrids, it is important to understand that F1 hybrids require continual stocking efforts in any waters. The hybrid vigor that results from crossing a pure Northern bass with a pure Florida bass is only present in the initial generation. Therefore, any F1s used must be purchased externally and stocked annually, as subsequent generations lose this vigor. The optimal size for stocking, which greatly increases survival in the wild, is between 4 and 8 inches, with costs ranging from $5.00 to $7.00 per fish.
There is also a climate zone where Florida strain bass and F1 hybrids exhibit their desired enhanced growth potential. States like Tennessee and Arkansas do not stock Florida strain or F1 hybrids outside the recognized optimal climate zones.
For reference, a map from Red Hills Fishery’s website that identifies the geographic range within climate zones for Florida bass, Hybrid bass (F1), and Northern Bass can be found in the comments. Red Hills Fishery is considered a premier breeder and supplier of both trophy Florida bass and F1 bass for stocking purposes.
https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Documents/Thoroughbred-Bass-Program-Interim-Progress-Rpt-2026-03-26.pdf
