FAMILY SERRANIDAE 208 



YELLOW BASS 



Mot one interrupta Gill 



This fish has an oblong-ovate body with an elevated back. The dorsal 

 fins are connected and contain 9 spines anteriorly and 1 spine and 12 

 rays in the posterior portion. The anal fin has 3 spines and 9 or 10 soft 

 rays. There are 51 to 55 scales in the lateral line. 



In general appearance this fish is very similar to the white bass, but 

 the sides are more yellow or brassy and have about 7 very distinct 

 black stripes. The stripes are offset, or broken. al)out midway on the 

 body, thus giving rise to the specific name interrupta. This species 

 can be distinguished from the white bass by the smaller number of 

 anal rays. It reaches a length of about 15 inches. 



The yellow bass ranges from southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and 

 Indiana southward to Texas and Louisiana. It is a southern fish and is 

 rare in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Occasionally it is found in the 

 Mississippi from Lake Pepin southward. Its feeding and spawning 

 habits are similar to those of the white bass. It is reported to be an 

 excellent game and food fish. 



