An Introduction to Roanoke Bass Habitat Information and Facts
The Roanoke Bass is not a very large fish and they are not the best fish for eating. At just over a pound for a lunker, we use the term lightly, they are more ideal for young children and a nuisance for many anglers.
Upper River Systems
Roanoke Bass prefer creeks, streams and small rivers with rocky, graveled, and well-silted bottoms. They can be found in the following river systems:
- Tar river
- Neuse rive
- Chowan river
- Roanoke river
The Roanoke Bass live in freshwater habitats that have access to the ocean, but they are not salt water fish and do not tolerate brackish waters. They exist in the upper headwaters of the above mentioned rivers and will only head into deeper, cooler water in the summer as the water heats up past 70°F/21C° degrees.
Where to find them
Roanoke bass have the same habitats as the Rock Bass, preferring rocky, graveled or pebble bottoms near docks where they can be found near the bottom, hiding in wait for their prey. They can be found near rock outcrops, to wards the bottom of the pile. They can also be found near sunken debris, around tires, shipwrecks and sunken trees.
They do not overly turbid waters, though they can tolerate it for a short time, persistent high turbidity will see a reduction in their population.
The Roanoke Bass do not dislike large rivers, but they only go into them when it is spawning time or when they are seeking cooler waters during the high heat.
Feeding Time
The Roanoke Bass are like most fresh water bass. They feed in the early morning and then again at night, just before dark and then after dark for several hours. While they will feed outside of those times, they are less vigorous.
The peak times for binge feeding are during the hours of dusk and dawn. They generally stick to the deep pools and shady areas of the river when feeding or laying in wait for their prey during the day. Roanoke bass do not like sunlight and will avoid moving very far during the day and won’t do so in the light unless events force otherwise.
Size Matters
The Roanoke Bass is not a very large fish and they are not the best fish for eating. At just over a pound for a lunker, we use the term lightly, they are more ideal for young children and a nuisance for many anglers looking for larger fish like Largemouth Bass.
