Tidal Largemouth Bass Update

Type: Chesapeake
Region: Tidal Potomac
Location: Lower Potomac

Tidal Largemouth Bass Update. On 20 April 2010, Joe Love (tidal bass manager), Ross Williams, and Tim Groves (Southern Regional Office) collected approximately 40 largemouth bass for brood stock in the Cedarville Hatchery. These fish will reproduce in hatchery ponds. Their offspring will be stocked to targeted tidal rivers and lakes within Maryland. Approximately 200 adults have been taken from Mattawoman Creek (Potomac River) over the past 4 weeks and they will be returned in late May or June.

In addition to collecting adults for brood stock, the MDNR biologists also tracked largemouth bass in Chicamuxen Creek (Potomac River). A few females were running ripe, with eggs pushed from their vent when their stomachs were lightly pressed. One running-ripe male had whitish milt. A large, 6.2 pound female was caught along with other large fish in Chicamuxen Creek. That creek seems to be holding big largemouth bass in the designated, off-limits sanctuary and on the south side of the creek, near the mouth.

In addition to the largemouth bass, a single snakehead and many sunfish were caught. The sunfish were brightly colored, which is typical as summer approaches and males begin to build nests. Several large longnose gar were collected in the sanctuary, probably because it is a great, calm section of the river for spawning. Longnose gar spawn during spring and over vegetation.

A couple of largemouth bass that died from hooking injuries were observed in Mattawoman Creek. As summer approaches, anglers are reminded to be careful when handling their bass as seasonally high temperatures can stress fish. For information on safe handling strategies for largemouth bass, please read the 2010 Maryland Fishing Guide, visit the tidal bass website , or attend one of the open house events that will be held this summer at Smallwood State Park.