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Rock Bass

The rock bass (ambloplites rupestris), like the largemouth bass is actually a member of the sunfish family. They are fun, sturdy little fish that give a great fight. When introducing the sport of fishing to children, rock bass are great fish to go after. And if you like to eat your catch, the meat on the rock bass is very light and mild and makes for a great campfire feast.

The rock bass also goes by several other names: black perch, goggle-eye, rock sunfish, red eye, goggle-eye perch. This red-eyed, greenish-bronze coloured pan fish is found in all the Great Lakes and primarily in the north.

Distribution

Native to the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada, rock bass have been successfully introduced into southern states via the Mississippi Valley and north to southern Manitoba.

Habitat

Rock bass prefer areas with submerged structures and rocks, or gravel bars with light vegetation. The fish are often found near breakwaters and gravelly shorelines in groups near other sunfish (smallmouth bass, pumpkinseeds, etc.). During the winter, rock bass remain in deeper water and enter a condition of semi-hibernation.

Features

The rock bass looks like a cross between a bluegill and a black bass. A true sunfish, a bluish black blotch on the tip of the gill covers and six spines in front of the anal fin distinguish the fish from the warmouth (Lepomis gulosus). Rock bass have large mouths, narrow rounded deep heads, large eyes and two connected dorsal fins. Olive brown or bronze bodies are sometimes tinged dark green and are covered with back spotted scales or faint dark vertical markings reminiscent of the yellow perch's striped body.

This red-eyed, greenish-bronze coloured pan fish is found in all the Great Lakes, and in shallow rocky areas of tree-covered streams. With a slightly more elongated body than that of the pumpkinseed or bluegill, the main identifying characteristic of the rock bass is its very large red to orange-red eyes.

Size

Rock bass rarely exceed 12 inches in length and most weigh about one-half pound, though some reach 3 pounds.

Feeding Habits

Rock bass heavily feed in the evening and morning. Crayfish, insects, smaller fish and other smaller organisms constitute the fish's diet. In its original habitat, the smaller rock bass are food for larger bass, pike and muskies in the area. Please do not transport rock bass from one body of water to another; their ravenous feeding habits deplete minnow populations, thus reducing an important food source for other larger fish species.

Reproduction

Like other members of the sunfish family, rock bass spawn in shallow water when the spring water temperature reaches between 60º to 70ºF. The male builds a circular nest (8-10 inches diameter), clearing away debris with its tail. The female slowly deposits a few eggs into the nest which the male quickly fertilizes. The male guards the eggs until they hatch 3 or 4 days later. A few days later, the hatched fry move into shallow, protected vegetated areas.

Spring Techniques

Rock bass will bite on a wide variety of baits, both natural and artificial. Hellgrammites and small softcraws are the most productive baits; but worms, minnows, and a variety of insects also attract the fish. The best places to fish for rock bass are in small rivers and in creeks where deep pools form below shallow riffles. Try the same techniques employed when fishing for other Centrarchids [see bluegill, crappie techniques].

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