Appearance: Olive to brown with darker brown mottling, with a length of up to 9 or 10 inches, larger sizes being more likely in the warmer, more fertile waters.

Habitat: In the park, this fish can be found in several stream and reservoir environments including Little Pigeon River, Oconaluftee River, Hazel Creek, and many more. It is typically a warm water fish, but is tolerant of cooler temperatures. This makes it a common inhabitant of transition waters that are between the warm bass waters of large streams and lakes, and the very cool trout waters of the mountain streams.

Interesting Fact: The name Rock bass refers to the use of rocks as cover by the species.

References:

Etnier, David A. and Wayne C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press. Knoxville, Tennessee.