Bass found in just one US river officially named as new species

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — After decades of research, a fish known to be unique to the Savannah River has officially been classified as a new species of bass, a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) spokesperson announced Tuesday.

The fish, once referred to as the "Redeye Bass," is now named Bartram’s Bass. The Bartram’s Bass is an endemic fish, which means it's only found in the shared Savannah River drainage of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, SCDNR officials said.

SCDNR, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Clemson University, and the University of Georgia have been researching the bass for years. A Competitive State Wildlife Grant, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, allowed researchers to study the fish's genetics, habitat and conservation chal