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Fish Identification

Bass Identification Chart

Largemouth Bass

Found statewide

Illustration of a largemouth bass with labeled features including an upper jaw extending beyond the eye, deep notch between fins, no scales at fin bases, a horizontal band, and no patch of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram showing key identification features of a largemouth bass, including its extended upper jaw, deep notch between fins, horizontal stripe, and lack of scales at the fin bases—helping anglers distinguish it from other bass species.

Smallmouth Bass

Found west of I-77 & in the Uwharrie and Dan rivers

Illustration of a smallmouth bass with labeled features showing its upper jaw not extending beyond the eye, three dark bars radiating from the eye, vertical body bars, shallow notch between fins, and scales at fin bases.
Diagram highlighting key identification traits of a smallmouth bass, including vertical body bars, scales at fin bases, and an upper jaw that ends before the eye—helping anglers distinguish it from largemouth and other bass species.

Spotted Bass

Found west of I-77 & Cape Fear River

Illustration of a spotted bass with labeled features showing its upper jaw extending to the back of the eye, shallow notch between fins, horizontal body streaks, scales at fin bases, and a single patch of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram highlighting the distinguishing traits of a spotted bass, including a shallow fin notch, horizontal streaks, scales at fin bases, and one patch of teeth on the tongue—key details anglers can use to tell it apart from largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Alabama Bass (Invasive)

Found statewide

Illustration of an Alabama bass with labeled features showing its upper jaw extending to the back of the eye, 71 or more scales along the lateral line, shallow notch between fins, horizontal streaks, scales at fin bases, and one patch of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram identifying the Alabama bass, an invasive species, by its key traits—more than 71 scales along the lateral line, shallow fin notch, horizontal streaks, and a single patch of teeth on the tongue—helping anglers distinguish it from native bass species.

* Largemouth bass X Alabama bass and smallmouth bass X Alabama bass hybrids may have a small patch of teeth on the tongue.

Morone Identification Chart

Striped Bass

Illustration of a striped bass showing key features such as its slender body, distinct and continuous horizontal stripes, and two patches of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram highlighting how to identify a striped bass, featuring a slim body shape, continuous horizontal stripes, and two tongue patches of teeth—important traits for distinguishing this species from hybrid and white bass.

Bodie Bass (striped bass hybrid)

Illustration of a hybrid striped bass showing a deep body shape, broken horizontal stripes, and two patches of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram identifying a hybrid striped bass (Bodie bass) by its deep body, broken horizontal stripes, and two tongue patches of teeth—helping anglers distinguish it from pure striped or white bass species.

White Bass

Illustration of a white bass showing key features such as a deep body, 12 anal rays, broken and faint stripes below the lateral line, no membrane between dorsal fins, and one patch of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram highlighting the identifying traits of a white bass, including its deep body, faint broken stripes, single tongue patch of teeth, and separated dorsal fins—helping anglers distinguish it from striped and hybrid bass species.

White Perch

Illustration of a white perch showing identifying features such as silvery sides without dark stripes, dorsal fins joined by a membrane, a body deepest in front of the dorsal fin, and no patch of teeth on the tongue.
Diagram identifying a white perch, featuring silvery sides, connected dorsal fins, and a deep body shape—key traits that distinguish it from white bass and other similar fish species.

Species Identification Chart

White Crappie

  • 5–6 dorsal spines
  • 5–10 dark vertical bars on each side
  • Best populations found in Piedmont reservoirs and rivers
Illustration of a white crappie showing a silvery body with faint vertical bars, large dorsal fin, and a slightly elongated shape commonly found in freshwater lakes and rivers.
Illustration of a white crappie, a popular freshwater sport fish recognized by its silvery body, vertical bars, and deep shape—commonly found in North Carolina’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

Black Crappie

  • 7–8 dorsal spines
  • Many dark spots on sides and fins
  • Common in large rivers in Coastal Plain, clear ponds, natural lakes and reservoirs
Illustration of a black crappie showing a deep-bodied fish with a silvery-green color and irregular dark speckles across the body and fins, commonly found in freshwater lakes and ponds.
Illustration of a black crappie, a freshwater fish identified by its deep, speckled body and distinctive dark markings—often found in clear lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers across North Carolina.

Bluegill

  • Ear flap entirely black
  • Pattern of vertical bars on sides
  • Most common sunfish in state
Illustration of a bluegill showing a deep, laterally compressed body with blue-green coloring, a dark spot on the gill cover, and orange shading on the lower body, common in North Carolina freshwater habitats.
Illustration of a bluegill, one of North Carolina’s most common sunfish species, recognized by its blue-green body, dark gill spot, and orange-tinted belly—often found in lakes, rivers, and farm ponds.

Pumpkinseed

  • 4–8 wavy lines, often bright blue, on cheek
  • Ear flap black with orange-red spot
Illustration of a pumpkinseed sunfish showing bright orange, yellow, and green coloring with blue wavy lines on the face and a red spot on the gill cover, common in freshwater lakes and ponds.
Illustration of a pumpkinseed sunfish, a colorful freshwater species known for its vibrant orange and green body, blue facial markings, and red gill spot—commonly found in calm lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams across North Carolina.

Redbreast Sunfish

  • Bluish streaks on cheeks and around eyes
  • Long, narrow ear flap entirely black
Illustration of a redbreast sunfish featuring an olive-green back, orange-red breast, and long black gill flap, commonly found in rivers and streams across North Carolina.
Illustration of a redbreast sunfish, a brightly colored freshwater fish recognized by its orange-red underside and long black gill flap—often found in clear rivers, creeks, and streams throughout North Carolina.

Redear Sunfish

  • Commonly called shellcracker
  • Red or orange edge along ear flap
  • No blue lines along cheeks
Illustration of a redear sunfish with a greenish body, speckled scales, and a distinct red or orange edge on the gill flap, a freshwater species native to lakes and ponds in North Carolina.
Illustration of a redear sunfish, also known as a shellcracker, recognized by its red-edged gill flap and speckled greenish body. This

Roanoke Bass

  • Similar shape as rock bass, but is dark olive-green to olive brown
  • No scales on cheek
  • Only found in Dan, Deep, Neuse, Tar, & Uwharrie rivers
Illustration of a Roanoke bass showing a greenish-brown body with dark mottled spots and a large mouth, a freshwater fish species native to rivers and streams in North Carolina.
Illustration of a Roanoke bass, a North Carolina native freshwater fish recognized by its dark, mottled pattern and robust body. Commonly found in clear rivers and rocky streams across the state.

Rock Bass

  • Olive-green top and gold or brassy-colored sides
  • Scales on sides have dark spots, forming striped-like appearance
  • Unlike Roanoke bass, have scales on cheeks and dark spot near ear flap
Illustration of a rock bass with a deep, laterally compressed body, red eyes, and dark mottled scales, a freshwater fish found in rocky streams and lakes across North Carolina.
Illustration of a rock bass, a freshwater fish easily identified by its red eyes and dark, patterned body. Commonly found in rocky rivers, lakes, and clear streams throughout North Carolina.

Warmouth

  • Similar in appearance to rock bass, but has large mouth, similar to bass
  • Anal fin has three spines compared to six of rock bass
  • Three or four stripes radiate from eyes across to cheek and gill cover
Illustration of a warmouth sunfish with a stocky, brownish body, red eyes, and dark mottled stripes radiating from its face, a freshwater fish native to North Carolina’s ponds and slow-moving streams.
Illustration of a warmouth sunfish, a hardy freshwater species known for its mottled brown coloring, red eyes, and dark facial stripes. Commonly found in warm, weedy ponds and sluggish waters across North Carolina.

Brown Trout

  • Golden brown to olive with yellowish sides
  • Dark spots circled with light yellow or white on back and sides
  • Some fish also have orange or red spots on sides
  • Reclusive fish, often hanging out near fallen trees and undercut banks
Illustration of a brown trout with golden-brown coloring, dark and red spots surrounded by pale halos, and a streamlined body, a popular freshwater game fish found in North Carolina’s mountain streams and rivers.
Illustration of a brown trout, a prized freshwater game fish known for its golden-brown hue and red-spotted sides. Commonly found in North Carolina’s cold-water streams and rivers, especially in the mountain regions.

Rainbow Trout

  • Broad lateral stripe, pinkish to red, on sides
  • Heavy black speckling on entire body
  • Prefer faster currents, such as riffles and swift runs
Illustration of a rainbow trout with a silvery body, pink lateral stripe, and small black spots along its back and fins, a freshwater fish native to cold streams and rivers in North Carolina.
Illustration of a rainbow trout, a colorful freshwater fish recognized by its pink stripe and spotted body. Commonly found in North Carolina’s cool mountain streams and stocked waters throughout the state.

Brook Trout

  • Sometimes called speckled trout
  • Greenish brown with light red spots on sides
  • Dark, worm-like lines on back
  • White edges on fins, including tail
  • Only native trout
Illustration of a brook trout with a dark, wavy-patterned back, red belly, and light spots outlined in blue along its sides, the only native trout species in North Carolina’s mountain streams.
Illustration of a brook trout, North Carolina’s only native trout species, featuring a dark marbled back, bright red belly, and blue-ringed spots. Found in the cool, clear mountain waters of western North Carolina.

Yellow Perch

  • Greenish-yellow along back with dark bands on sides
  • Two separate dorsal fins
  • Very sharp edge on gill covering
Illustration of a yellow perch with a golden-yellow body, dark vertical bars, and orange-tinted fins, a popular freshwater game fish found in North Carolina’s lakes and rivers.
Illustration of a yellow perch, a freshwater fish recognized by its yellow body and dark vertical stripes. Commonly found in North Carolina’s lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers, prized by anglers for its flavor and sport.

Walleye

  • Largest member of perch family
  • Found in streams and rivers, but prefer lake environments
  • Normally found in depths of 20–60 feet
Illustration of a walleye with an elongated golden-brown body, large glassy eyes, and sharp dorsal fins, a popular freshwater game fish known for its excellent vision and nocturnal feeding habits.
Illustration of a walleye, a prized freshwater fish recognized by its reflective eyes and olive-gold scales. Found in North Carolina’s reservoirs and rivers, this species is valued by anglers for its challenge and delicious flavor.

Muskellunge

  • Member of pike family
  • Sides usually have vertical bars or blotches and fins have spots or streaks
  • Has 12–18 small pores underneath the jaw
  • Prefers cool rivers and lakes with plentiful woody debris, vegetation and rocky habitat
Illustration of a muskellunge, or muskie, with an elongated greenish body, dark vertical markings, and reddish fins, a large predatory freshwater fish found in North Carolina’s mountain lakes and rivers.
Illustration of a muskellunge (muskie), North Carolina’s largest member of the pike family. Known for its long, torpedo-shaped body and dark vertical bars, the muskie is a powerful game fish prized by experienced anglers.

Chain Pickerel

  • Close relative of muskellunge
  • Named for chain-like pattern on sides
  • Black bar beneath eyes distinguishes it from small muskellunge
Illustration of a chain pickerel with a long, slender greenish body patterned with chain-like markings and a pointed snout, a common freshwater predator found in North Carolina’s rivers, lakes, and swamps.
Illustration of a chain pickerel, a sleek freshwater game fish recognized by its chain-like markings and sharp teeth. Common across North Carolina, this aggressive predator provides an exciting challenge for anglers.

Blue Catfish (Invasive east of Continental Divide)

  • Anal fin has straight outer edge and 30–36 rays
  • Common in large rivers and often favor faster currents than other catfish
  • Because of competition with other species (striped bass) for prey, should not be moved from one waterbody to another
Illustration of a blue catfish with a long, silver-blue body, forked tail, and whisker-like barbels around its mouth, a large freshwater species found in North Carolina’s rivers and reservoirs.
Illustration of a blue catfish, a massive freshwater species recognized by its bluish-gray body and forked tail. Native to large rivers and lakes in North Carolina, the blue catfish is a favorite target for anglers seeking record-breaking catches.

Bullhead Catfish

  • Five species of bullhead exist in North Carolina—brown (pictured), yellow, black, flat and snail
Illustration of a bullhead catfish with a mottled brown and yellow body, rounded tail, and long whisker-like barbels, a hardy freshwater fish commonly found in North Carolina’s ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.
Illustration of a bullhead catfish, a small, stocky freshwater species recognized by its rounded tail and mottled coloring. Native to North Carolina, bullhead catfish thrive in muddy waters and are a popular catch among local anglers.

Channel Catfish

  • Deeply forked tail with black spots on back and sides
  • Anal fin is round with 24–29 rays
  • Highly adaptable, living in ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs
Illustration of a channel catfish with a silver-gray, slender body, forked tail, and long barbels around its mouth, a popular freshwater fish species found throughout North Carolina’s rivers, reservoirs, and ponds.
Illustration of a channel catfish, one of North Carolina’s most common freshwater fish. Recognized by its forked tail and smooth, silver-gray body, this species is a favorite among anglers for both sport and table fare.

Flathead Catfish (Invasive east of Continental Divide)

  • Broad, flat head with lower jaw protruding beyond upper jaw
  • Should not be moved from one waterbody to another
  • Feeds primarily on live fish and has been associated with declines of several native fish species
Illustration of a flathead catfish with a broad, flat head, mottled brown and yellow coloring, and long whisker-like barbels, a large freshwater predator common in North Carolina’s rivers and lakes.
Illustration of a flathead catfish, a distinctive bottom-dwelling species known for its broad head and mottled brown body. Native to North Carolina’s rivers and reservoirs, this powerful predator is a prized catch for anglers seeking trophy-sized fish.

White Catfish

  • Blue-gray above, fading to gray on sides with white belly
  • Distinguished from channel catfish by much wider head and lack of black spots on sides
  • Aggressive feeders and feed more during daylight than other catfish
Illustration of a white catfish with a stout, bluish-gray body, broad head, and white underside, featuring forked tail and long whisker-like barbels, a common freshwater species found in North Carolina’s rivers and estuaries.
Illustration of a white catfish, a native freshwater species recognized by its broad head and bluish-gray coloring. Found in rivers, reservoirs, and coastal waters across North Carolina, the white catfish is prized by anglers for its mild flavor and steady fight.

For additional details on these species and others found throughout the state, visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website for comprehensive species profiles and conservation information.

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