Question: I recently noticed an advertisement in the seafood section of our local Los Angeles Hong Kong supermarket newspaper where they are selling Live Mouth Bass. Is there really such a fish? The picture looks like they are largemouth bass. I didn't think our precious game fish could be sold for food. If these are largemouth bass, is it legal to sell them in the market?

Answer: I am not aware of a species called "live mouth bass". It is not legal to sell largemouth bass caught in the wild or under the authority of a sport fishing license. Oftentimes the Asian markets have aquariums where they display live fish for sale. Largemouth bass can be sold if acquired from a private aquaculture facility with appropriate sales receipts.