. Why are the fish I catch in murky muddy water so white or pale in color?
This is primarily caused by a lack of light penetration below the surface. A largemouth bass has color cells positioned at various levels in its top layer of skin as well as in the bottom of the skin. These cells contain pigments and color changes can be produced from influences in the environment. The cells contain elements that catch the light and then emit sheens including gold, greenish colorations or pale images. When a fish is exposed to either muddy or deep, clear water, its coloration will usually become very pale. A lack of light penetration is the culprit.
posted by Ken