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In fact, officials noted, the fish’s golden color is the result of a genetic mutation known as xanthism.

“Golden largemouth bass are extremely rare and most anglers have never seen them, let alone heard of them before … Yellow pigmentation dominates in xanthism, as you can see in Mr. Moore’s golden largemouth,” DWR Aquatic Education Coordinator Alex McCrickard said.

“Xanthism isn’t seen very often in the wild because it causes a normally cryptic animal to stand out … If you’re yellow or orange, everyone can see you — and either eat you or avoid you eating them,” Katrina Liebich, a fisheries expert with the U.S.