They generally live in the same areas as bluegill and pumpkinseed, but will frequent open water areas more often. Although not as colorful, they resemble the true sunfish in body shape. However, both rock bass and black crappie have five sharp spines on their anal fins, whereas the rest of the sunfish family have three. Rock Bass Rock bass are found in many waters across the State. They are most abundant in rocky and gravelly shallow water areas in lakes and ponds, and the lower, warm reaches of streams.
Rock bass are abundant in most of New York State's large rivers.
Often, they occur in the same areas as smallmouth bass and compete with the bass for food. Rock bass are small to medium sized sunfish, reaching six to ten inches in length. They are brownish in color with several dark bars or blotches mottling their sides. Rock bass have similar feeding habits to other sunfish, eating mostly aquatic insects, crayfish, and small fishes. Nests are built in a variety of bottom types, including gravel, mud, and in vegetation.