Rock bass
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Rock bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Rock bass
Identification

Bronze-to-olive with red eyes and rows of dark spots forming faint horizontal lines — often mistaken for a large sunfish, though it's actually in the same family as smallmouth bass.

Where It's Found

Clear, rocky lakes and streams across the eastern and midwestern U.S., usually holding near boulders, ledges, and current breaks.

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Fishing Notes

Willing biters that often keep company with smallmouth bass — small crankbaits and jigs fished around rock structure work well.

Scientific Classification
Family
Centrarchidae
Genus
Ambloplites
Order
Centrarchiformes
Class
Actinopterygii
Phylum
Chordata
Kingdom
Animalia
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Photography sourced from Wikimedia Commons contributors.