How to Identify a Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus)

• Body shape: A large, elongated fish with a large mouth.
• Jaw length: In adults, the upper jaw reaches to, or only very slightly beyond, the rear margin of the eye.
• Tongue: The tongue has a rough patch.
• Cheek scales: The cheek scales are noticeably smaller than the scales on the rest of the body.
• Body markings: A dark, continuous stripe runs along the middle of the sides, with rows of dark spots on the lower sides forming horizontal streaks.

In adults the spotted bass's upper jaw reaches to, or only slightly beyond, the back of the eye, while the largemouth's upper jaw extends far behind the back of the eye; the spotted bass has a tooth patch on the tongue, which the largemouth lacks. See the Largemouth Bass page for its full mark list.

The spotted bass has rows of dark spots on the lower sides; the smallmouth lacks these rows of spots and shows vertical bars instead. See the Smallmouth Bass page for its full mark list.

A freshwater fish found in permanently flowing waters that are generally warmer and slightly more turbid than smallmouth bass habitat.

Lay the fish flat on its side in even light and photograph the whole body first, then the details below. Get a close, sharp frame of the head: mouth, jaw length and any barbels. Photograph the gill cover and cheek straight on so the ear flap and scale rows are visible. Shoot the side of the body before the fish dries; spots and stripes fade fast out of water. The app reads the photo and names the likely species; use the marks on this page to confirm it.

Size and daily limits for this species differ by state and by water, and some waters are catch-and-release only. Check the current regulations for where you are fishing before keeping any fish; if you are unsure of the species, release it.