Maryland Fish Facts

Rock Bass

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Redeye, google eye, rock sunfish

Key Distinguishing Markings:

Short, robust body and fairly large mouth.
Lower jaw protrudes slightly. Back is olive-green with sides tarnished gold or brassy colored.
Each scale has a dark central spot. Large spots on its lower body forms a striped-like appearance.
Has a discernable dark outline on its anal fin. Has wide vertical blotches on its sides and a dark spot on its cheek.
Average 6 to 8 inches, but will reach 12 to 14 inches and 1 1/2 to 2 lbs.

Distribution:

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.
Found in Central and Western Maryland waters.

Size:

The average rock bass is between 6 and 10 in (150 and 250 mm), and they rarely weigh over a pound.

Habitat:

Has a preference for clear flowing streams with rocks and boulders, limestone ledges and logs.
Also survives in impoundments formed on the rivers they inhabit.

Spawning:

Spawns in May or June when water temperatures reach 60° to 70°F.
Male forms a bed in the gravel, often using an abandoned nests of other sunfish.
Eggs adhere to the gravel and hatched young are guarded by the male until they are free-swimming.

Fishing Tips:

Voracious feeders that readily strike spinners, jigs, small crankbaits and flies.
Favored live baits include minnows, crayfish, nightcrawlers, mayfly nymphs and hellgrammites.

Fun Fact:

The Rock Bass is not actually a bass but a member of the sunfish family.
The biggest Rock Bass ever caught on record weighs about three pounds and was a little over one foot long.
They often stay camouflaged in their environment to avoid predators and other threats.
They can travel as far as 150 miles away from their place of birth in search for habitat and food.
When faced with a trespasser, they make themselves look bigger by spreading their opercles (the plates protecting the gills) and opening their mouth wide.
They are fairly easy to catch because of their abundance and their aggressiveness.
Rock Bass are sometimes kept as pets.
They can be a lively and animated pet in home aquariums.
They can be taught to eat pellets.

From: https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/rock-bass

Family: Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)

Order: Centrarchiformes

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

Illustration by Duane Raver

Maryland Department of Natural Resources