Roanoke Bass

Nottoway River (Virginia)
This sunfish is only available in four different river drainages in Virginia and North Carolina. It looks nearly identical to the Rock Bass. Key identification features: the six anal spines and anal fin on the Rock Bass will have a dark outline or tint. The Roanoke Bass does not have the dark outline on this fin (see above picture). There are lots of gold specks on the upper body of the Roanoke Bass and the cheeks have no scales. General colorization for both species will vary. Both fish can change their color slightly to camouflage themselves. In general, a Roanoke Bass will be more of a tan/beige color than the Rock Bass.