Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Black Spots On Bass

I'm located in the eastern Panhandle of WV. I have a 3 acre pond that is several years old. Yesterday, my son caught a 5 pound LM bass. On the bass were several areas near the dorsal fin and on top of the head that appeard to be black "ink" stains. The fish seemed quite pale to me. Not the deep green that I associate with LM bass. The spots were not open sores, just stains. The water temp was 48 degrees. Should I be concerned? Nice round tummy full of food. We have seen this on smaller bass caught as well. BTW....my son (18) is still floating on cloud 9..this is the biggest he's ever caught... I can post a pic if needed. Thanks. I subscribe to PB mag and have been a lurker for a couple of years now...wonderful resouce. Thanks BOB LUSK!

I've seen these on bass myself. I think they are akin to birth marks or could be scar tissue but I have nothing to back this up. I see this on wild bass but don't see it on my feed trained domesticated bass at all.

Regardless I don't believe it's anything to worry about. As far as pale or fish color in general that depends on your water color and turbidity.

Heynow, Please post a picture if you have it. I'd like to see the 5 pounder.

Thanks.

I will post a pic when I get home tonight! Thanks,

Awesome Fish, he should be proud ! If by chance you think the fish is contaminated or sick, I'll take it ! I don't think that fish is pale, you should see the bass that come out of muddy water in my area, they barely have lateral lines !

You can see the stains on top of the head and near the dorsal fin.

You can tell by the expression on his face that he's real proud. Here is the 15 pound cat he caught last summer. As you can tell it was late August and HOT.

whoops

Heynow,

The marks are what I see from time to time. I know they are not pathogenic so they are nothing to worry about. I'm almost positive they are some type of pigment variation.