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Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
6–9 inches
Typical Length
0.25–0.75 lb
Typical Weight
Year-round (no closed season)
Season Opens
12%
% of MN Lakes
Rock bass are a hardy panfish commonly caught alongside smallmouth bass in clear, rocky lakes and streams. They're eager biters and aggressive for their size, though they're less prized on the plate than crappie or bluegill.
Habitat
As their name suggests, rock bass favor rocky shorelines, boulder fields, and gravel substrates. They're common in the same clear, cool lakes that hold smallmouth bass. They relate to rock piles and submerged timber.
When to Fish
Best months: June, July, August
Season opens: Year-round (no closed season)
Rock bass bite readily on small jigs, worms, and crayfish. They're often the most cooperative fish in the lake and provide steady action when other species are being finicky.
Did You Know?
- Rock bass have bright red eyes that make them easy to identify — they're sometimes called 'redeye bass.'
- They can change color to match their surroundings, becoming darker over dark substrates and lighter over sand.
- Rock bass are one of the first fish to colonize new habitats because of their adaptable diet and tolerance for varied conditions.
Minnesota State Record
2 lbs 0 oz (Bass Lake, 1998)
Lakes with Rock Bass near you
400 Minnesota lakes have Rock Bass on record. Find the closest ones to you.
Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) is a panfish species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. DNR surveys have documented rock bass in 400 Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota state record is 2 lbs 0 oz (Bass Lake, 1998).