Hello there.  I am a member of a Fish and Game Club in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State and we have noticed black spots, about the size of a pin head, on many of our Smallmouth and Rock Bass.  They almost look parasitic.  Does anyone know what these are, or if they can adversely affect our fish populations?  We stock a lot of fish and the State hasn't been too helpful in answering our questions.  I appreciate any assistance.  Happy fishing.

The condition is sometimes called black spot disease.  The black spots are caused by pigment that the fish deposits around the larval stage of a parasite.

Their life cycle includes birds which pick them up while eating fish.  While in the bird the parasite becomes a adult and lays eggs inside the birds intestines.  The bird, via a bowel movement, deposits the eggs in the water.  The eggs hatch and the new parasite takes on a snail as a host.  Later it leaves the snail and takes on a fish.

Their presence has not been proven to have much of an effect on the fish except in very small fish if there is not a massive amount of them.

If you are eating the fish they won't hurt humans.  Just cook the fish well done.  I have been told that they are 100% protein.

dO THEY LOOK LIKE A BLACK FRECKLE?  tHE POND AT MY HOUSE i HAVE CAUGHT 2 BASS THAT HAD A BLACK SPOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER ON THE TOP OF THEIR HEAD.

Hey I was having the same problem  SOLUTION; I CLEANED THE LENSES ON MY SUNGLASSES AND THE SPOTS WENT AWAY

Black freckles? I have caught a few fish that look like milk cows. Is this the same thing?

Yup, I'm a giant idiot. That picture is a bass literally covered in black spots, big ones. Is that the same thing?

Minor side note, how do you post a picture? HAHAHAHAHA

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/picture_tutorial.html

Easter thread, first post from almost three years ago...LMAO

Jig Man has the answer. These parasites are normally found in Perch, Rock Bass, Bluegills and Panfish. You usually notice them when cleaning the fish.

Hea Muddy. Welcome back! :)

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/picture_tutorial.html

Thank you Dan.

And is this the same thing that everyone else has been seeing?

Yes it is. Here is another example.

No, the OP (which was from years ago if you haven't noticed) was about other markings "the size of a pinhole." I've seen what he is talking about and it doesn't appear to be the same pigmentation affliction as the last two pictures.

i have caught several bass this year with these big black splotches

what are they ?

I know exactly what the OP (from long ago  ;D) is talking about, I just don't know what it is.

The smallmouth I catch in Vermont every year have these dots all over them.  Gives their skin a rough, bumpy texture and they are about the size of a pinhead.

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/fish_parasites.html

http://en.engormix.com/MA-aquaculture/news/heterosporis-important-new-parasite_13167.htm