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Rock Bass Native

🔬 Ambloplites rupestris

Small but feisty. Often caught alongside smallmouth.

0.25-0.5 lb, 6-10 inches
Typical size
2 lbs 1 oz
Michigan record
Summer
Best season
270
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 2 lbs 1 oz ·Eugene Kotenko ·Lake Erie ·Monroe County ·1980 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Rock Bass

Jan
Fair
Feb
Fair
Mar
Good
Apr
Excellent
May
Excellent
Jun
Excellent
Jul
Good
Aug
Good
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Fair
Dec
Fair

🛡 Rock Bass Conservation Status

Native Rock Bass is native to Michigan waters. Very common panfish in rocky-bottom lakes alongside smallmouth bass. The daily bag limit is 25.

🌿 Rock Bass Habitat & Behavior

Rocky shoals, log piles, and rubble shorelines. Often found in the same water as smallmouth bass. DNR records show Rock Bass present in 270 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct.

🎣 Best Rock Bass Techniques

Small jigs, spinners, crayfish imitations

🪱 Best Rock Bass Baits

Crayfish, night crawlers, small jigs, spinners, minnows

📋 Rock Bass Fishing Regulations in Michigan

25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season

Counted in the combined panfish limit on most waters.

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch Rock Bass in Michigan

Lake County Population
Alcona Pond Alcona Good
Ambrose Lake Ogemaw Good
Arbutus Lake
510 acres
 Grand Traverse Good
Arnold Lake Clare Good
Au Sable Lake Ogemaw Good
Au Sable River Iosco Good
Avalon Lake Montmorency Good
Avery Lake Montmorency Good
Badwater Lake Dickinson Good
Baldy Lake Alger Good
Bar Lake Alger Good
Bass Lake Dickinson Good
Bass Lake Oscoda Good
Bass Lake (Long Lake Township) Grand Traverse Good
Bay City Lake Mackinac Good
Bear Lake
3,350 acres
 Manistee Good
Beatons Lake Gogebic Good
Beaver Lake Alpena Good
Big Bass Lake Otsego Good
Big Bear Lake Otsego Good
Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data
SpeciesRock Bass
Quantity241 fish
StockedMay 12, 1983
Lake Shelldrake Dam Impoundment

📋 Rock Bass Stocking Events by Lake

Date Lake County Quantity Size
2 more recent stocking events available with Fishing+
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Full stocking history across all 2 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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See which Michigan lakes are likely to be stocked with Rock Bass next — view the stocking forecast →

📋 Quick Rock Bass Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Rock Bass

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