Upper Potomac River Surveys

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Upper Potomac River

Our crew has been busy conducting the annual assessment of game fish populations in the upper Potomac River. The fall electrofishing surveys focus on smallmouth bass, but data is also collected for walleye and muskie too. We have completed 5 of the 12 scheduled sites and the initial results have been impressive. Overall catch rates for smallmouth bass, and the catch rates for quality-size bass, have been some of the highest ever documented. This is largely due to the record 2007 yearclass that is now five years old and ranging in length from 12 to 15 inches. Large smallmouth have been collected at all sites with the largest collected so far measuring more than 20 inches in length. Fall is a beautiful time to be on the upper Potomac and this fall in particular is a great time to target those feisty smallmouth.
John Mullican
Large River Specialist - Inland Fisheries