Upper Potomac River- A Change In Progress

Smallmouth Recruitment Classes

If you follow a few other regional podcasts and blogs you would think that very little has changed on the Upper Potomac River since the high water events of 2018 but they would be wrong.

In spite of all the posts you hear about the growing flathead catfish populations in many section of the river the current state of condition of the river is far more impacted by other factors like high water, composition erosion and grass development than anything pertaining to the flathead.

We see this all the time and would think we as a community would have learned from the whole Snakehead alarmists that attempted to put the blame on snakeheads for cycle declines in largemouth bass catch rates on the tidal Potomac when in truth is was poor grass development as well as the dumping of composition from the Susquehanna River into the bay that has impacted the Upper Bay over predatory species.

Flatheads and Snakeheads becasme easy targets for largemouth bass anglers as culprits but in reality things like “Translocation” and 3x the level of large boater events have impacted the fisheries far more than other species of fish have the last few years. Anglers often do not want to hear things when it reflects upon angling behaviors but for largemouth anglers you cannot remove bass let alone during spawn from habitat and relocate them forty miles up river and expect the balance of the fishery not to be impacted especially given 20% of the estimated females spawning will die within a week or less of being released.

As Smallie Chasers we are afforded one great advanatge over largemouth in that most of our best river systems for smallies are ignored by major professional fishing series and large boater traffic events. This allows us to focus on the natural things in our ecosystems that are impacting year-class strength of the smallies throughout the Upper Potomac.

Many in the area have been misinformed in large part as to the efforts undertaken by Maryland DNR to address juvenile smallmouth numbers. Repeated high water events in the prime spawning periods in the river has been the single most critical factor in lower than average recruitment of smallmouth. In 2019, Maryland began supplemental stocking program on the river following the devastating flooding of 2018. When these events happen around spawn everything is impacted from water temperature to clarity. Water clarity is probably the most undervalued aspect impacting the spawn yet can cause the most dramatic effects on the development of fry early in the process of spawn. While the stained water and water levels have a stronger impact on juvenile growth and survival, it has less of an impact on the adult smallmouth in the river.

This has contributed to many suggesting that the quality of the fishery is down but in truth it is not the quality but the quantity of fish that actually may be lower than normal. Countless citation smallmouth hare being registered in the Upper Potomac. In Virginia for example a citation smallmouth is 20 inches in length or five pounds.

Maryland began removing quality sized smallmouth from the river to the state run hatchery (Cedarville) in order to breed the smallies to produce quality fingerlings to return to the river with the adult fish. Even after some issues at the hatchery with smallies the commitment to the smallmouth has largely gone unreported by resources and most are unaware that the Maryland DNR was even stocking smallmouth in the river.

In 2022, the last 8,000 of 38,000 smallmouth juveniles from hatchery were stocked in the Upper Potomac via the Williamsport boat ramp. Other areas where smallmouth were stocked were Synders Landing, Dragan Bend, Shephardstown and Taylors Landing were stocked in June 2022 along with smallmouth stocked in the sections that I fish the kost in the Piedmont which included Edwards Ferry, Point of Rocks, Nolands Ferry, Whites Ferry and Brunswick. These bass are now all about a year and half old and have manged to complete a cycle with relatively lower than normal high water events which should increase rates of survival.

In 2020 Maryland had stocked 30,000 smallies on the Upper Potomac from Taylors Landing to Edwards Ferry during the spring.

The partnership between angler and state is critical.

In 2022 anglers assisted Maryland DNR by hosting a tournament on the Upper Potomac out of Brunswick, MD to assist the state in securing quality adult smallmouth which generated over 60 smallies with some over five pounds for the state to spawn at the state hatchery to support the fishery. Hopefully we see more of these events in the future working together with the state. In 2021 there were issues with oxygen levels at the hatchery that resulted in the spawning bass to be lost while moving from spawning pods to the indoor tanks so it was good to see the river get its 2022 stockings.

Maryland discovered very similar issues with smallies as Susquehanna River had with bass suffering lesions on juvenile fish that many believe may be chemical influenced. In 2013 Dr. Vicki Blazer a research biologist with the USGS characterized the plight of smallies has having to deal with the “perfect storm” ; pollution, climate and chemicals. We witnessed this decades ago on the Shenandoah River.

Climate has contributed to above average water temperatures. I feel like we have seen this this season as the river as withstood many more weeks seemingly of lower than normal water levels thus raising the water temps as the thermals increase with sun beating down on the river compositions over all throughout the day. This sustained elevated water temp coupled with potential fun off from herbicides that may be washed into the system after any above average rainfall reeks havoc on juvenile bass.

We have not really seen significant high water this season on the fishery compared to other fisheries like the James River and now approaching August if we can get to Fall without one this will create one of the best Fall fishing opportunities we have seen on the Upper Potomac in years.

Everything is a cycle but we can do our part to curb some of the issues beset the river. Remember in 2005 just when people thought the Susquehanna River was in its heyday manage to see a massive decline where catch rates declined some 80% in many areas of the river system. It took PA some seven years to study and implement new restrictions and regulations where they suspended fishing for six weeks from May to June to attempt to protect smallies and held such restrictions for six years until 2018. Today during those periods we see a “catch and release”(no harvest) provision in place from April 8 to June 9 in Susquehanna River. From June 10 to September 30 the river has a six combined bass specie limit of minimum 12 inches per bass.

Most anglers are unaware of the restrictions in place on the Upper Potomac river for smallmouth. The more anglers I encounter at the ramps that are unaware seems alarming to me but it is a product of other anglers and the state not really getting the word out that needs to get out. From Dam #2 (Violettes Lock) to the mouth of the Monocacy River it is “catch and release” only for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

If you are participating in events in Maryland for bass that make sure your event has a permit if the following apply:

1.10 or more anglers

2.Designated weigh in location

3.Offer, Reward or Incentive for catching bass.

We are in the middle of witnessing a turn around for the Upper Potomac that many are not reporting on. The grass is coming back in drives in many sections which is huge for the the bait fish populations in the river and thus the forage base for smallmouth.

If you love smallies and want to join our group on Facebook please do so here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1322144201945490

Additional Resources:

https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Potomac_SM_%20Bass_Supplemental_Stocking_Plan.pdf