Warmouth

 

Identification:  A medium-sized, robust sunfish with a large head and mouth. The upper jaw extends to or beyond the middle of the eye. It is distinguished from other sunfish, including the Rock Bass, by having dark red-brown lines radiating from the back of the eye and a patch of small teeth on the tongue. Adults can grow to 12 in. (2.5 lbs.), but most fish are less than 10 in.

Distribution and Habitat:  Occurs throughout most of the state except for the Big Sandy River drainage in eastern Kentucky. The Warmouth is most common from the lower Green River westward. It is most often encountered in oxbow lakes, sloughs, wetlands, and reservoirs in clear, quiet water over soft bottoms and dense stands of aquatic vegetation.