Fish ID

This was found in a fish cleaning shack in a Wisconsin port of Lake Michigan. A friend sent it to me for ID, he might be messing with me. I’m usually pretty good at fish ID, this has me stumped.

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Rock bass

Rock bass

I’d say probably a Rock Bass too

Fish that live in the Great Lakes are often pale in color compared to inland lakes.

A stark example is a stream dwelling brown trout compared to a lake dwelling one.

B-man wrote:

I’d say probably a Rock Bass too
Fish that live in the Great Lakes are often pale in color compared to inland lakes.

Looks like it spent time in a cooler, died, and discolored.

I agree though, either a rock bass or a small largemouth. Eye doesn’t quite look right to be a rock.

B-man wrote:

I’d say probably a Rock Bass too

Fish that live in the Great Lakes are often pale in color compared to inland lakes.

A stark example is a stream dwelling brown trout compared to a lake dwelling one.

The reason is appears to be more pale in color is because there has been a fillet taken off the side shown.

Looks like a rock bass.

Buffalo Fishhead

I think it’s a rock bass as well but the eyes aren’t red?

The eyes and mouth don’t look quite right to be a rock bass, but that’s probably what it is. the guy who sent the picture to me knows his fish very well and specifically stated it was not a rock bass. I suspect if we were able to see the skin there would be no question what it is.