• Characteristics - olive colored with brassy reflections and dark mottlings along the sides, whitish breast and belly; 6 spines in anal fin and 12 in the dorsal; seldom exceed 10 inches
• Distribution - northeastern interior streams; rarely in the upper part of the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers and large natural lakes
• Foods - aquatic insects, minnows and other small fish
• State Record - 1 pounds, 8 ounces - Mississippi River, Dubuque County, June 1973 - Jim Driscoll, Dubuque, Iowa
• Expert's Tip - true to their name, the rock bass can be caught in streams by fishing close to the rocks near the current

For more northern rock bass information, see our printable pdf (106K) or Iowa Fish & Fishing.