This species belongs to Micropterus coosae species group but differs from all other members by having broad margins of bright orange pigment on posterior dorsal, caudal, and anal fins (vs. red, no orange, or faint orange often limited to anterior portion of anal fin) and by a wider head (postfrontal width 11.8% SL vs. 11.3% or less). It can be further diagnosed from all members except M. tallapoosae by having larger scales (2.9% SL vs. 2.7% or less), 61-67 lateral-line scales (vs. 68-74), 26-28 scales around the caudal peduncle (vs. 29-32) and 89-98 total lateral-line scales plus scales around the caudal peduncle (vs. 96 or more); from M. tallapoosae, M. warriorensis, and M. cahabae by larger tooth patch on tongue of 1.0 mm or more in 78.2% of individuals (absent in 9.0% examined) vs. less than 1.0 mm in 51.7% or more (absent in 25% or more of individuals) (Ref. 93229).