This species is a deep bodied fish that possesses five to seven dark stripes laterally along the sides, the lowest few of these are often broken or disrupted anterior to the origin of the anal fin.

The yellow bass is distinguishable from both of these species by having the offset lateral stripes above the anal fin and from not possessing tooth patches on the tongue.

The yellow bass can also be found in lakes surrounding these rivers, especially in areas with dense vegetation and low turbidity.

[6][7] Spawning usually occurs in moderately shallow waters during which the female lies on her side and exposes the eggs as the male fertilizes from above.

The larvae of the yellow bass school together to avoid predation and they grow fairly quickly in size.