North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Learning  >  Species  >  Fish  >  Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass

Scientific Name: Micropterus punctulatus
Classification: Game Fish
Abundance: Found in several mountain and piedmont reservoirs, as well as the Yadkin River and upper Cape Fear River.

Sport Fish Profile (pdf)

      

Additional Information

Spotted bass are native to southern Illinois, Missouri and Ohio, southward to eastern Texas and the Gulf, covering major drainages of the Mississippi River. They have been introduced into several Atlantic slope rivers and reservoirs. Spotted bass will often out-compete and replace smallmouth bass or largemouth bass. For this reason, introductions of spotted bass can often have negative impacts on existing sport fisheries.

 

North Carolina offers some great fishing opportunities. If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines.

The following fishing regulations are effective August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019.

Inland Fishing

Inland Fishing Regulations
Regulatory authority between the Wildlife Resources Commission and Division of Marine Fisheries. Inland game fish regulations include Manner of Taking, Seasons and Using Trotlines and Set-hooks.

 

 

Saltwater Fishing

 

There are no closed seasons on inland game fishes with the following exceptions