The Maryland Bass Federation Nation�s Youth Club

Type: Nontidal
Region: Southern
Location: Ceedarvilel Hatchery

The Maryland Bass Federation Nation�s Youth club helped fish about 90, 3 � 6 pound largemouth bass from ponds at Cedarville Hatchery on 16 May 2010. Nearly 30 volunteers and MDDNR hatchery staff and biologists worked together for 4 hours to catch and carry these bass to transport tanks at the hatchery. These largemouth bass are the �brood stock� or group of fish used to produce juveniles that will be stocked to tidal rivers and reservoirs throughout the state in June or July. Participating anglers were not allowed to use live bait or treble hooks. Most anglers reeled in at least one fish, with some reeling in well-over 5. According to Joe Love (tidal bass manager), �it was really awesome to have so many interested young professional anglers working with us to help protect bass fisheries for the general public throughout the state.�

Many of the largemouth bass caught by anglers appeared to have spawned and all looked very fit. Earlier in the year, these largemouth bass were selected from Mattawoman Creek (Potomac River) by MDDNR biologists from the Southern Region Office. The adult largemouth bass were returned to the Potomac River on the 16th and released in quality habitats of Nanjemoy Creek and near Piscataway Creek. Largemouth bass are expected to remain in the immediate area of their release for 1 � 2 weeks.