Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Roanoke Bass (similar to Rock Bass)

Roanoke Bass

Rock Bass are used in ponds from time to time right? Do they ever spawn in ponds that are creek fed?

The Roanoke Bass is only found in my area only. It is less common these days being outcompeted and hybridizing with the Rock Bass that was not originally in the area.

I have dammed up the creek behind my house for cattle to drink if we keep any again in the future. It's a small area, I was thinking maybe I could keep a dozen or so in there with minnows. Maybe they could pull off a spawn during a hard rain when the flow picks up...

Anybody have any opinions?

I have caught rock bass in cooler lakes that have SMB populations, I would assume Roanoke bass have a similar preference. IMO with no competition from any fish, Roanoke Bass would survive and do OK in a small creek fed pond. Whether they'll spawn is dependent on if their is bottom material similar to what a SMB would prefer. I don't believe a current would be necessary for them to successfully spawn.

That is a beautiful specimen in the picture. I have only caught a couple dozen when I head down to SW VA. As you noted, they are becoming increasingly rare due to competition with rock bass and siltation.

PS If you're not a member of bigbluegill.com you should join and post that picture. I am sure Bruce would love it on his site, even if it's not a Lepomid. It's related close enough...

That's a nice looking fish, better looking than rock bass, I caught a ton of RKB this spring, one was almost 10 inches so I put him in the pond.

I found it in a google search. Im not sure why it was on a Ohio University site; a professor must have vacationed in VA or something?.

Maybe I'll have some to take a picture of soon. They sound easy enough to catch, if I can find some. I saw that they are similar to SMB spawning on gravel beds.

I caught my Roanoke Bass in a smaller tributary to the New River.