Freshwater
Rock bass (redeye)
Lobina de roca (ojo rojo)
Ambloplites rupestris
At a glance
6–10 in.
2–20 ft.
Morning, evening and night.
9 areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Chunky, bronze-olive sunfish with bright red eyes, rows of dark spots forming lines along the sides, a big mouth and 5–7 spines in the anal fin.
- Typical size
6–10 in.
- Maximum size
About 1 ft and 3 lb.
- Diet
Crayfish, insects and small fish.
- Behavior
Lives around rocks, boulders and logs in clear streams and lakes, often with smallmouth bass.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found from U.S. Great Lakes, Northeast Lakes & Rivers, Upper Midwest Lakes, Ontario Great Lakes, Quebec, Northern Ontario, Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South and Canadian Prairies. Clear, rocky lakes and rivers of the Great Lakes, upper Mississippi and Ohio basins, the Ozarks and southern Canada.
- Habitat
Clear, rocky lakes and rivers of the Great Lakes, upper Mississippi and Ohio basins, the Ozarks and southern Canada.
- Depth
2–20 ft.
- Fishing depth
3–12 ft around rocks.
- Best season
Spring through fall.
- Best time
Morning, evening and night.
- Best tides
No tide; wind and water level matter more.
- Best weather / conditions
Stable weather.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Worms, crayfish and minnows.
- Best artificial lures
Small jigs, tubes, spinners and small crankbaits.
- Tackle setup
Light spinning rod.
- Hook size
Size 4–1.
- Line
4–8 lb.
- Leader
Not needed.
BigJoe's setup for Rock bass (redeye)
The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.
Also at Bass Pro Shops: RodLineJigsBobbersHooksBaitTool
See BigJoe's full gear guide →As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.
Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Go where it lives: Clear, rocky lakes and rivers of the Great Lakes, upper Mississippi and Ohio basins, the Ozarks and southern Canada.
- Rig up: Light spinning rod. Not needed.
- Pick your bait: Worms, crayfish and minnows. Lures: Small jigs, tubes, spinners and small crankbaits.
- Fish it: Fish small jigs or worms near rocks and boulders in streams and along rocky lake shores.
- Time it: Morning, evening and night. No tide; wind and water level matter more.
- Fishing techniques
Fish small jigs or worms near rocks and boulders in streams and along rocky lake shores.
- BigJoe's tip
Where you find rock bass, smallmouth are often close by.
- Catch and release
Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Good eating when fresh.
- Cleaning
Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
- Cooking suggestions
Mild and white; good fried.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Spiny fins.
- Regulations
Usually in the panfish limit; check local rules. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
- Conservation
Common.
Where it's found
Tap an area to open its fishing map.