Pictured above: Captain John Sisson with a nice catch!
By Steve Chaconas
Local biologists know how many fish there are, where they are, but can’t help you catch them. Several anglers are just not catching many big ones.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources pay very close attention to their respective state fisheries. When it comes to the Potomac River, Maryland and Virginia monitor the black bass population using electrofishing to sample the population. MD samples in the fall, while VA conducts their surveys in the spring into early summer.
The Potomac River numbers are coming in and they look good from both jurisdictions. By the numbers, MD counted 769 largemouth bass, including 447 juveniles. Fish with diseases, attributed to hooking injuries, represented 5.6 percent. Anglers are doing well, on average weighing in three and four bass per tournament fishing day. Keep in mind only 15 inch fish are being brought to the scales, so the smaller fish are freed upon catching. These are the highest catch rates since 2012. Even juvenile bass captured were above average with the growth indices normal. The surprising number is that annual mortality tended to be lower than average, suggesting good spawns and survivorship. Based on this data, Maryland rated the status of the Potomac as good.
As good as the present status appears, MD will continue to stock largemouth bass. Spawned from bass taken from the Potomac and raised in hatcheries, including the site with the new bead filter paid for with donations to the Black Bass Conservation Fund, will allow MD to stock much larger fish to insure their immediate contribution to the fishery. This ensures fish stocked in Maryland waters are best suited for survival and reproduction to maintain a strong fishery.
Virginia is also reporting the best surveys they’ve seen in years. Sampling only from Potomac River creeks in Virginia, the numbers from April and May have been very positive. VA DWR biologist John Odenkirk says based on May surveys; the relative abundance may be the best they’ve seen in years. However, data is backing what anglers are reporting that bigger fish are harder to come by. Odenkirk says while bass samples showed abundance was excellent, RSD (relative stock density) is significantly lower than last year, but not significantly different than most years and totally in line with historical data. RSD is a measure (proportion) of all adult bass that are also 15″ or greater and can be influenced by large year classes moving in to the “preferred” size range (15″+) or a large pool of younger adult fish below that size (12-15″). “Nothing to lose sleep over for sure!”
Likewise in Maryland, abundance of 15” and larger largemouth bass are down. Analyzing 15”+ bass numbers show a decline from the 2017 peak; however, the population has been relatively stable with a slight decline or statistically stable. This data varies from creek to creek. MD DNR Tidal Black Bass Manager Ryan Gary says this analysis provides a good general picture that the abundance of 15+ inch bass has remained relatively stable since 2018. Biologists typically monitor fisheries by assessing fish abundance and size over time, providing valuable insights into the health of a fishery from a historical perspective.
In 2022, MD’s tidal bass expanded their surveys to monitor the number of fish exhibiting signs of disease or injury. This key indicator of fishery health can give managers a heads up if there is an impending problem. Gary says all fish populations have some level of disease and injury. An increase in the number of fish with these symptoms can be a “canary in the coal mine” for threats to fisheries. Fish in the fall surveys are inspected for signs of disease including black bass blotchiness syndrome, skin rashes, fin damage, and parasites. Year-to-year comparisons are being tabulated to reveal how fishery health compares to past years, as well as other state fisheries. In three years, MD DNR is setting baseline information for disease levels in black bass populations. Gary says so far, most tidal river populations have similar levels of disease when compared to each other. Usually less than 5% of fish display mild symptoms. The Department is focusing on abrupt changes in diseased fish to flag a fishery for further investigation to better understand potential problems and adapt to those threats.
While Virginia’s bass surveys have been ongoing since 2004 with the introduction of Northern Snakeheads, Maryland’s surveys date back to the early 1990s. Both standardize electrofishing samples to track abundance, size, and weight of bass. Standardized samplings allow comparisons for survey years to identify trends in the fisheries. With this information, managers can better understand whether a fishery is declining, improving, or remaining status quo.
No doubt Potomac fishing continues to thrive as noted by the scheduled Bassmaster and Major League Fishing tournaments in 2025. Fish care continues to be the focus for tournament organizations, especially during the hotter days. Statistically, 20%-50% of tournament fish are subject to delayed mortality. These are the bigger fish as tournament anglers bring in their larger fish. Once this population is affected, bigger fish are not easily replaced with younger classes. Perhaps anglers should take this new data as a wakeup call to realize they’re responsible for the future of fisheries.
Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube video channel NationalBassGuide
Potomac River Bassing in JULY
It’s time to frog fish! 50 pound test Gamma Torque Braid and cast to the thick grass! The strikes are explosive.
Other grass techniques include using swim jigs and bladed jigs in craw, black/blue, or white patterns. Tie to 30 pound test Gamma Torque braid.
For pitching docks and holes in the grass, use Mizmo tubes Texas rigged on 16 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon.
Drop shot and shaky head on deeper drops. Use 15 pound Gamma Torque main line with 12 pound Edge leader. Green pumpkin colors are good.
About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac river reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.