The spotted bass one of several black bass species that are found in the Mid Atlantic region. The spotted bass can be identified by its pattern of spots along the body and a distinctive area of “teeth” on its tongue. The jaw does not extend past the eye as in the case of largemouth bass.
Although not native to the Mid Atlantic, spotted bass are common in large impoundments throughout the Mid Atlantic. They occur in several reservoirs in Virginia. In North Carolina, the spotted bass is found in mountain and piedmont reservoirs, as well as the Yadkin River and upper Cape Fear River.
In some impoundments, introductions of non-native spotted bass have had negative impacts on existing sport fisheries. When the species becomes established, it sometimes replaces smallmouth bass or largemouth bass. Non-native spotted bass also interbreed with largemouth, producing hybrid offspring.