Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris

Back to the Main Species Page

Back to the Sunfishes Page

Species Profile: Rock Bass, Ambloplites rupestris

Post date: Monday, March 5, 2012 - 23:29

Updated date: 3/22/23

The Rock Bass is a mottled, brownish sunfish with red eyes and a large mouth. As the name implies, it has an affinity for rocks - or other submerged cover, like branches, logs, or thick weeds. It is an underappreciated panfish in parts of the country, especially in the northern part of its range, where many anglers inexplicably assume it has a poor flavor. Nothing could be farther from the truth, as this is a tasty panfish on a par with bluegills and crappies. Although few anglers choose to pursue this fish, it is a willing biter, a feisty fighter in larger sizes, and excellent table fare.

Other Names: Northern Rock Bass, Redeye, Goggle-eye, Black Perch, Rockie, Branch Perch, Redeye Bass, Rock Sunfish

Description

The rock bass is a stout, robust sunfish with an overall coppery-brown coloration. The scales along its sides have a black spot, often giving it a striped appearance, especially below the lateral line. The anal fin bears five to seven spines and is edged in black. The ear flap bears a dark spot, and the mouth is larger than other sunfish of a similar size. The average rock bass you'll catch will be between six and eight inches long and weight about haf a pound, but this fish is capable of attaining lengths up to 17 inches and weights of over three pounds.

Habitat

Rock bass may be found in both rivers and lakes. In small warmwater streams they often become the dominant sunfish species. In every case, they frequent areas with heavy cover - rocks, logs, trees, and patches of dense aquatic vegetation are its preferred haunt. In my opinion, it's more of a "Log Bass" than a "Rock Bass" as nothing attracts rock bass quite like a downed tree in the water. Although they stick tightly to their cover, rock bass are bold and brash predators, which will streak out from their hiding spot to grab an unsuspecting crustacean, insect, or minnow.

Tactics

Rock Bass can be caught on a wide variety of small baits and lures, but their large mouth means they can take lures up to 3 or 4 inches long! Small crayfish are undoubtedly the best bait for Rock Bass. You can use small crayfish whole, or use just the tail of larger ones. Other baits to consider are minnows, leeches, worms, hellgrammites, crickets and grasshoppers. Flies that imitate this sort of creature can be very effective as well, and they occasionally take surface lures cast near their hiding places. Rock bass strike quickly and fiercely, often dashing back to cover after the attack. You have to put pressure on them immediately in these situation to avoid having your line tangled in the rock bass's rocky or brushy home. The best areas to fish for them are shallow areas in and around logs, brush, large rocks, and other thick cover. They also can be caught through the ice in some areas, using the same tactics one would use for walleyes and yellow perch. A cane pole is an excellent weapon for targeting this fish, as this equipment makes it easy to precisely place a bait within cover, and the long, reel-less rod allows the struggling rock bass to be levered straight up out of cover without becoming wrapped in the logs and brush.

Range Map

Lifelist Entries

Post date: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 - 13:45 HIGHFLOW1402 Penny pack park system	Post date: Thursday, March 28, 2019 - 20:21 Adventure_AJ_	Post date: Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 13:08 BradleyR Lake Massawippi, QC	Post date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 21:51 Reekfish	Post date: Sunday, April 19, 2020 - 23:41 Lbric01 Yorktown, NY	Post date: Monday, April 25, 2016 - 17:43 Iris Wisconsin
Post date: Monday, June 23, 2014 - 15:56 PYoung	Post date: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 13:56 Gunnar Lake Elizabeth, Twin Lakes, WI	Post date: Friday, April 24, 2015 - 22:29 DBiehl MN Lake	Post date: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - 20:33 Underpants52 Waupaca, WI	Post date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - 20:34 Mrfish Trough creek state park, pa	Post date: Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 21:40 chemicalpotential Powell River, VA
Post date: Monday, July 11, 2022 - 21:58 FishermenBen Southwestern Ontario.	Post date: Thursday, September 16, 2021 - 14:54 Sizuper MI	Post date: Friday, September 14, 2012 - 10:41 MarvelNurse1 Pa	Post date: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 20:43 Logperch28 Tom's Creek, VA	Post date: Monday, October 3, 2016 - 15:01 JoshD	Post date: Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 23:08 Gerry Mukwanago WI
Post date: Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 15:43 Qyle	Post date: Monday, February 25, 2013 - 17:50 Sturgesaurus	Post date: Saturday, April 27, 2013 - 12:43 DMZout Small clear, rocky "river" Culpeper...	Post date: Friday, April 26, 2019 - 18:54 MOBassAngler7 Shoal Creek Mo	Post date: Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 21:19 Peeling Line Mason Lake, WA	Post date: Wednesday, September 5, 2012 - 08:44 MichaelAngelo Picture is recent.