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Ambloplites rupestris
Elongated in shape, large mouth, six spines on anal fin as opposed other sunfish which only have three, red eyes. The body coloring of rock bass ranges from golden brown to olive with a white to silver colored belly. Rock bass also have an uncanny ability to rapidly change their color to match their surroundings.
Illustration by Joseph R. Tomelleri © Rock bass are carnivorous, and their diet consists of smaller fish, including their own young at times, yellow perch, and minnows, as well as insects, and crustaceans. Rock bass are occasionally known to take food from the surface. Adult rock bass may eat heavily, particularly in the evening and early in the morning.
Rock bass are equal opportunity feeders, and naturally consume a variety of baitfish, aquatic insects, and crayfish. Try a small crawfish imitator. One of the best ways to catch them is with a small, finesse tube with a lightweight internal jighead. Rock bass also respond well to live bait presentations, with nightcrawlers, wax worms (bee moths), or even small minnows.
Rock bass are sexually mature at about 2 to 3 years of age. Rock bass are polygynandrous in which both females and males have multiple mates during the breeding season. Spawning occurs from April to early June in warm waters ranging from 12 to 15 degrees Celsius, with females producing 2,000 to 11,000 eggs. The male will dig a nest near the lake shallows, and will aggressively guard it. A spawning area may be heavily used, with several other Rock bass nests very close together. As a result, males can become quite aggressive as they attempt to defend territory and attract and hold females. Rock bass lack courtship displays, so the female enters the nest and joins the male in his circular behavior. Both the female and male simultaneously release their sperm and eggs into the nest. The male guards and fans the eggs, and later raises the young for a short time. Rock bass are known to grow quickly.
