Spotted Bass | NC Wildlife

Spotted Bass Micropterus punctulatus, like Smallmouth Bass, are known for their fighting ability, aggressiveness, and stamina. Spotted Bass is a popular game fish sought by anglers throughout the United States.

Spotted Bass are native to western North Carolina and known to occur in medium to large rivers in the French Broad (including Pigeon and Nolichucky), Hiwassee, and Little Tennessee river watersheds in North Carolina. They naturally co-occur with native Smallmouth Bass in the rivers and lakes throughout their range but are more tolerant to turbidity. Spotted Bass were introduced into the Cape Fear River in the 1970s and are currently established in that system.

The native Spotted Bass is currently threatened by the introduction of Alabama Bass in North Carolina. Due to similarity in appearance to the invasive Alabama Bass, native Spotted Bass are often incorrectly viewed as a detriment to other black bass fisheries (i.e. Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass). This case of mistaken identity is an unfortunate outcome of the illegal and unauthorized introductions of Alabama Bass that are not Spotted Bass.

Conservation Status

Spotted Bass are stable across their United States range but are considered at risk in North Carolina due to degraded habitat, dams, and hybridization with Alabama Bass. Spotted Bass are often confused with the invasive Alabama Bass which have been illegally introduced throughout North Carolina.

Spotted Bass species page

Spotted Bass Distribution in NC

Black Bass Identification

Below is a comparison of the Alabama Bass, Bartram's Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Spotted Bass. Images courtesy of Black Bass iNaturalist.

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