Bass Fishing-Rock Bass
Aug 27, 2010; 3:41 PM ET
Ambloplites rupestris
AKA: Redeye, redeye bass, goggle eye, rock sunfish
This species of freshwater fish is not really a bass, but a member of the sunfish family, associated with bass because of its rocky habitat.
Distinguishing Markings:
Rock bass have a very deep and laterally compressed body. They usually have red to orange eyes, large, terminal mouth, body coloring from golden brown to olive, with white to silver belly, and 5 to 7 spines in the anal fin and 12 in the dorsal. Rock bass are less colorful than the bluegill, but have the ability to rapidly change its color to silver or blackish to match its surroundings.
Size:
About 6 to 8 inches and weighing less than a pound.
Distribution:
Rock bass can be found in all the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River system, Wisconsin, the upper and middle Mississippi River, and down to Missouri, northern Alabama and Georgia in the south, as well as from Quebec to Saskatchewan in Canada.
Habitat:
Rock bass prefer clear, vegetated and rocky lake margins and stream pools. Their favorite habitat is clear, cool to warm waters, with gravel or rocky bottoms, and some vegetation. Rock Bass species are usually found near stone-armored shorelines and breakwaters.
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