Roanoke bass across North Carolina

“A sunfish rather than a true bass, the Roanoke bass is shaped similar to a rock bass but is dark olive-green to olive brown, fading to grayish sides with a white belly. The Roanoke bass has smaller scale spots than the rock bass and small, lighter whitish or yellowish spots on its upper body. It is scaleless or nearly so on its cheeks.”

“Roanoke Bass are uncommon in North America. Their native range is restricted to the Roanoke and Chowan River drainages of Virginia and the Tar and Neuse River drainages in North Carolina. Isolated, introduced populations also exist in North Carolina, most notably in the Uwharrie River in the southern Piedmont. The rarity of Roanoke bass throughout their native range has prompted listing of these sunfish as significantly rare by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Loss of habitat that accompanies impoundment construction, pollution and siltation is mostly responsible for their decline. Roanoke bass prefer habitats in large creeks, streams and small rivers that have moderate flows and rocky substrate. Young Roanoke bass eat insects and crustaceans, while adults feed on crayfish and small fish.”