Citation Smallmouth? How Does The Susquehanna River Compare To The New River When It Comes to Citation Size Smallmouth?
Many Believe The Susquehanna River Is The Best Smallmouth River In The Region But Is It The Best In Truth For Citation Size Smallmouth?
Susquehanna River v. The New River
Any evaluation pertaining to the quality of Smallmouth between river systems must first begin with an basic examination of the similarities and differences between river systems in comparison.
🐟What are the differences and similarities of the Susquehanna River and the New River as it relates to Smallmouth size and population density?
✨What do kayak fishing tournament events tell us about these two river systems and quality of citation size Smallmouth.
🎣 How do genetic differences in Smallmouth play a role in the size and population density of a a river system?
This of course when comparing the Susquehanna River and the New River is somewhat easier because they are basically in the same region of the country and have been influenced by much of the same natural developments—- as in earth science! (1)
So before we break down recent results from the tournament fishing segment of the fishing community its important to dive into this comparison just to give everyone an idea or barometer from which the judge the quality size being produced by a river relative to population densities each river sustains.
Data is also not only at the mercy of recorded event registrations like the recent Bassmaster Kayak Open Series event held on the portions of the Susquehanna River this last weekend but also the fact that states conduct different electro survey operations when evaluating populations in river systems and often these are not done every year or even in the same areas of the rivers.
Firstly, we need to compare the river systems themselves. Then compare the actual Smallmouth that inhabit these river systems and identify the similarities but also the differences that contribute to size whether length or weight.(2)
Comparison Between the Susquehanna River and the New River
Topography
Susquehanna River:
Location: Flows through New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Length: Approximately 444 miles.
Topography: Characterized by a wide floodplain, rolling hills, and valleys. The river's course includes numerous islands and braided channels.
New River:
Location: Flows through North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Length: Approximately 320 miles.
Topography: Flows through the Appalachian Mountains, featuring steep gorges, cliffs, and a more rugged terrain compared to the Susquehanna. The New River Gorge is a notable landmark.
River Composition
Susquehanna River:
Substrate: Consists of a mix of gravel, sand, silt, and bedrock.
Vegetation: Submerged aquatic vegetation and riparian vegetation along the banks.
Tributaries: Numerous tributaries, including the Juniata River and the West Branch Susquehanna River.
New River:
Substrate: Primarily bedrock, cobble, and gravel with some sandy areas.
Vegetation: Sparse submerged vegetation due to the swift currents, but riparian zones are well-vegetated.
Tributaries: Includes the Bluestone River and Greenbrier River.
Current Flow
Susquehanna River:
Flow: Generally slower with more varied flow rates depending on the section of the river. The upper sections have faster currents, while the lower sections near the Chesapeake Bay are slower.
Hydrology: Influenced by seasonal rainfall, snowmelt, and upstream dam releases.
New River:
Flow: Known for its fast, turbulent flow, especially through the New River Gorge. The river is one of the oldest in the world, cutting through ancient rock formations.
Hydrology: Relatively stable flow year-round due to consistent rainfall in the Appalachian region.
Water Temperature
Susquehanna River:
Temperature Range: Varies seasonally, from near freezing in winter to around 70-80°F (21-27°C) in summer.
Influences: Seasonal changes, tributary inflows, and regional climate.
New River:
Temperature Range: Also varies seasonally but generally cooler due to its mountainous location, ranging from near freezing in winter to around 60-70°F (15-21°C) in summer.
Influences: Elevation, seasonal climate, and cold-water tributaries.
Water Clarity
Susquehanna River:
Clarity: Can be turbid, especially after heavy rains due to runoff and sediment. Clarity improves in the upper reaches and during dry periods.
Factors: Agricultural runoff, urban runoff, and natural sediment loads.
New River:
Clarity: Generally clearer than the Susquehanna, although it can become murky after storms. The fast-moving sections help keep sediment suspended.
Factors: Rockier substrate and less agricultural runoff compared to the Susquehanna. (3)
Forage Species for Smallmouth Bass
Susquehanna River:
Primary Forage:
Minnows (e.g., shiners, dace)
Crayfish
Hellgrammites
Insect larvae
Small sunfish and perch
Seasonal Availability: Forage species are available year-round, but their abundance and activity levels vary with water temperature.
New River:
Primary Forage:
Minnows (e.g., darters, shiners)
Crayfish
Insect larvae
Hellgrammites
Small fish like darters and sculpins
Seasonal Availability: Similar to the Susquehanna, forage species are present throughout the year, with their activity influenced by water temperature.
Summary
Differences:
Topography: The Susquehanna River flows through a more varied landscape with wide floodplains and rolling hills, while the New River flows through steep, rugged mountainous terrain.
Current Flow: The Susquehanna has a mix of slow and fast currents, whereas the New River is known for its consistently fast and turbulent flow.
Water Temperature: The New River generally has cooler water temperatures due to its mountainous location.
Water Clarity: The New River tends to have clearer water than the often-turbid Susquehanna.
Similarities:
River Composition: Both rivers have a mix of substrates, including gravel, bedrock, and cobble.
Forage Species: Both rivers support similar forage species for Smallmouth, such as minnows, crayfish, and insect larvae.
Seasonal Influences: The behavior and availability of forage species in both rivers are influenced by seasonal changes and water temperatures.
Understanding these basic differences and similarities can help anglers better target Smallies in each river system by adapting their strategies to the unique conditions and forage preferences of the bass in these environments.
Now lets take a look at the Smallmouth themselves in each river system and the contributing factors that create disparities in the size of the Smallies and how growth rates are very different. What is apparent if you have ever fished these two rivers before is that the size is quite different especially weight even when comparing like size Smallies in length.
Genetic Differences Between Smallmouth Bass in the New River and the Susquehanna River Watersheds
Smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieu) populations in the New River and the Susquehanna River exhibit differences in size and weight, influenced by a combination of genetic factors, environmental conditions, and available forage. Here’s a basic detailed comparison of the genetic differences and environmental influences that contribute to these variations which may help us understand why it is the New River Smallies generally are bigger or longer than Susquehanna River Smallies.
Genetic Strains of Smallmouth Bass
Genetic Variation:
New River Smallmouth: Smallmouth in the New River are known for their relatively larger size. This population may have distinct genetic traits that contribute to their growth patterns. Studies have shown that Smallmouth bass can exhibit local adaptations to their specific environments, which can result in differences in growth rates and maximum size.
Susquehanna River Smallmouth: Smallmouth in the Susquehanna River are typically smaller compared to those in the New River. Genetic studies suggest that there may be different strains or subspecies adapted to the specific conditions of the Susquehanna River.
Evolutionary Adaptations:
Smallmouth bass populations can adapt to local conditions over generations. In the New River, the bass may have evolved to grow larger due to factors such as higher availability of high-calorie forage, optimal water temperatures, and genetic selection for larger size.
In contrast, the Susquehanna River's environmental conditions and available forage might have led to a selection for bass that are more suited to those specific conditions, potentially resulting in smaller average sizes.
Environmental Influences on Size and Weight
Forage Availability:
New River: The New River provides abundant high-calorie forage such as crayfish, darters, and sculpins, which can support the growth of larger bass. The diversity and abundance of prey in this river can contribute significantly to the larger size of Smallmouth.
Susquehanna River: While the Susquehanna also offers a variety of forage, it might not be as rich or abundant as in the New River. The difference in the quality and quantity of available food can affect the growth potential of Smallmouth.
Water Temperature:
New River: Cooler and more stable temperatures in the New River can create optimal conditions for growth. These temperatures can enhance metabolic efficiency and reduce stress on the fish, promoting better growth rates.
Susquehanna River: The Susquehanna experiences more temperature fluctuations, which can stress fish and potentially limit their growth. Warmer summer temperatures can increase metabolic rates, leading to higher energy demands that may not always be met by the available forage.
Current Flow and Habitat:
New River: The fast, turbulent flow of the New River creates a dynamic environment where bass may develop stronger swimming muscles and overall robustness. The varied habitat, including deep pools, rocky ledges, and swift currents, provides diverse feeding opportunities.
Susquehanna River: While the Susquehanna also has diverse habitats, its slower sections and sediment-laden waters might not provide the same level of optimal conditions for growth as found in the New River. The presence of agricultural runoff and pollution can also impact the health and growth of the fish.
Summary of Differences
Genetic Differences:
Potential genetic adaptations in the New River Smallmouth support larger size and greater weight.
The Susquehanna River Smallmouth may have different genetic traits better suited to their specific environmental conditions, resulting in generally smaller sizes.
Environmental Factors:
The abundance and quality of forage, water temperature stability, and habitat diversity in the New River contribute to the larger size of Smallmouth.
The Susquehanna River's environmental conditions, including temperature fluctuations, forage availability, and water quality, influence the smaller average size of its Smallmouth.
Growth Potential:
Smallmouth bass in the New River have greater growth potential due to both genetic predispositions and favorable environmental conditions.
In the Susquehanna River, growth potential is influenced by less optimal conditions, including variable water temperatures and forage availability.
Take-Away-
The differences in size and weight of Smallmouth in the New River versus the Susquehanna River can be attributed to a combination of genetic differences and environmental factors. The New River provides a more conducive environment for the growth of larger bass, supported by optimal forage and water conditions. In contrast, the Susquehanna River's environmental challenges and potential genetic differences result in smaller average sizes for its Smallmouth population. Understanding these factors can help in the management and conservation of these fish populations in their respective river systems but also dispel a ton of myths surrounding the river Smallies and the narratives that get advanced.
Now as far as kayak fishing tournaments go and their role in advancing some of the narratives that are becoming more accepted in fishing communities much of it stems from the fact that the Susquehanna River is an incredible fishery with a densely populated Smallmouth population but this of course as studies show does not always translate to bigger Smallies. The Delaware River, another river within the region for example has this correlation as well where large numbers of Smallies are caught on fishing trips but mostly smaller to mid size bass.
The two biggest and most well known kayak fishing event series in Hobie B.O.S. and Bassmaster Kayak Open Series have visited the Susquehanna River about a half dozen times over the last five years or so and while the results for Smallmouth caught are very impressive when compared to many other river systems what is even more interesting is the fact that on balance the results have not produced a high level or ratio of larger citation size Smallmouth.
This fact may be attributed to the factors mentioned above. The number of kayak fishing events has skyrocketed the last decade and now with the data taken from the event results coupled with the state agency data alot more can be determined about a river systems ability to produce or sustain citation size Smallmouth.
Hobie visited the Susquehanna River from 2020 to 2022 providing some interesting data points:
2020 (Aug) 112 Anglers 846 Smallmouth Caught 2 Citations (.0023)
2021 (July) 139 Anglers 1,259 Smallmouth Caught 3 Citations (.0023)
2022 (July) 192 Anglers 1,956 Smallmouth Caught 8 Citations (.0040)
Now here is where things get interesting:
Bassmaster Kayak Open Series has fished Susquehanna River the past two years: 2023-2024:
2023 (October) 146 Anglers 1,706 Smallmouth Caught 16 Citations (.0093)
2024 (July) 224 Anglers 2,463 Smallmouth Caught 22 Citations (.0089)
If you evaluate the trend year over year the classes of Smallmouth that are older are logically getting bigger. This is born out by increases in the number of citation size Smallmouth being caught over the period 2020-2024. Many of the same anglers fish in both of these series and often finish year the top of the event in both as well so they clearly have an understanding of Smallmouth behavior on the Susquehanna. In evaluating the ratios of citation to Smallmouth caught it reveals interesting insight into the river and how it truly stacks up against other rivers in term of citation quality fish.
Hobie in 2023 did not visit the Susquehanna and opted to fish the New River in July 2023. In this event we can examine directly the ratio of citation size Smallies caught compared to the Susquehanna River events the previous three years for Hobie.
New River:
2023 (Hobie) 101 Anglers 679 Smallmouth Caught 7 Citations (.0103)
This ratio represents the highest between all the Hobie and Bassmaster events on the Susquehanna River and New River for comparison with regard to citation size bass being caught. This ratio also correlates with other New River events on fishing apps like TourneyX that have ratios like (.07) and (.02). (4)
For example on July 27th the same day that Bassmaster was fishing the Susquehanna River, the Tri-River Kayak Series registered (4) citations in the New River out of just forty four overall Smallmouth caught (.09) (5)
There is little doubt that that the results also confirm what is widely accepted and that is that the Susquehanna River watershed has a greater population density of Smallmouth but what most do not realize and often times goes under reported because of the limited number of events on the New River compared to the Susquehanna River where national series and regional trails that partner with them visit every season is that the New River far and away produces much bigger Smallmouth on balance than the Susquehanna River.
Bassmaster Kayak Open Series blew it out of the park last month with registering an staggering 2,463 Smallmouth and that is what most everyone will take away from the event as it is talked about over the coming weeks. This level is the largest number of bass caught on the Susquehanna River reported at the national level.
For those of us that love to chase Smallies in the hopes of landing a citation quality Smallmouth, I hope that this brings some increased awareness concerning the true quality of the New River as compared to the Susquehanna River but also demonstrates how both rivers are exceptional in their own right in terms of Smallmouth.
While both rivers provide exceptional Smallmouth fishing, I believe the rivers do it in different ways. The Susquehanna River will produce epic days of numbers for your fishing trip while the New River will produce less in comparison but most of the time include much bigger Smallmouth for your efforts.
Tournament fishing is but one metric used to gauge the quality of bass in a fishery and we also must understand that many of these events fish the same areas year over year leaving large swaths of water never fished in events. This is particularly true of the New River. The Hobie event in 2023 while impressive in its own right for its citation size Smallmouth ratio only included the New River in West Virginia and excluded both Virginia and North Carolina portions of the watershed. Many anglers contend that these areas are some of the best sections the New River has to offer for quality size Smallmouth.
Anglers Catches: (1) Adam White (2) Kevin Waddell (3) Todd Cox (4) Tyler Fiorda (5) Thomas Keys —- TourneyX
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Resources:
Facebook Groups:
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1322144201945490
Smallie Chaser River Bassin:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/885248796934955many challenges for Smallmouth anglers especially those fishing from a kayak or wade fishing.