Fish Identification

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Hunting Creek

Hello from Calvert County, I spent a little time this Labor Day along Hunting Creek. I had a little luck by catching a small bluegill and 13 inch largemouth. I also caught a couple of these. I think they're "rock bass." I thought maybe a sunfish but the mouth was considerably larger. Am I right?

DNR's reponse: Hello David, if it came from Calvert County it isn't a rock bass, we don't have them in the southern region. Our guess is that its a warmouth, with it's colors washed out. Warmouth have 3 anal spines (rock bass have 5-7 anal spines), large mouth and red eyes. This fish has a red ear as well, which can be from either a pumpkinseed or a redear. Most likely this is a warmouth, we come across hybrid sunfish quite frequently in our region so there is a slight chance it's a hybrid.