Bartram’s Bass: SC DNR Gives a New Name to a Native Favorite
September 3, 2025
A new name, a nod to nature, and a win for native fish species in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has officially renamed the fish long known to locals and anglers as the “Redeye Bass.” Thanks to recent research and DNA analysis, this uniquely South Carolina species now has a name of its own: Bartram’s Bass (Micropterus pucpuggy).
🧬 Why the Change?
Their findings were published in the scientific journal Zootaxa, where the fish received its new official name. The species is named after William Bartram, the famed 18th-century naturalist who explored the Southeast and documented the plants, animals, and waterways of our region.
🐟 What Makes Bartram’s Bass Special?
Bartram’s Bass can be found in the Savannah River basin, including Lake Hartwell and Lake Russell. Here’s how you can spot one:
• Rose-colored fin tips
• Gold-ringed red eyes
• Pale gold flanks with blotchy bellies
• Oval tooth patch on its tongue (a giveaway!)
This bass isn’t just pretty—it’s a fighter, and a favorite among local anglers who love casting in the shoals and riffles of South Carolina’s scenic rivers.
📜 A Name with Meaning
The renaming does more than honor a naturalist—it helps protect the species. Now that it’s officially recognized, conservation efforts can be more targeted, and anglers can better understand the importance of preserving Bartram’s Bass habitats.
“This fish has always been part of our rivers, but now it has a rightful place in the record books and in conservation planning,” said one SCDNR representative.
🎣 Did You Know?
• Bartram’s Bass was previously lumped into the “Redeye Bass” category, a group that includes several related species across the Southeast
• With this new designation, South Carolina joins Georgia in officially recognizing the species as distinct
• You can still catch them, but make sure to follow all regulations as SCDNR may adjust guidelines now that it’s formally identified
