I agree with ML10 regarding the tongue patch on spotted bass. (I should have added that "easy" identifier.)

However, it is not 100% fool-proof. I have caught several LMB that also had the tongue patch. They did not appear to be hybrids (to my eye), or have any other traits that made them look anything other than pure northern-strain LMB.


P.S. ML10, have you ever considered putting some feisty spotted bass into your pond? They might dine on a slightly different portion of your forage, AND would be a blast for you and your family to catch!