Not so much a report as a question

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Gunpowder River

I was fishing from my kayak beneath the dam at Loch Raven. I saw tons of carp, and tons of small pan fish, and even more of a mystery fish. It had scales similar to a carp, and was very barrel shaped. It would bite at nothing, and had an tail fin similar to a shark; very sharp points as opposed to flat like a bass. Just wondering what this fish is (I'm guessing shad) and if they have a negative impact on the bass population. I couldn't believe how many of them there were!

DNR's Response: Hi Rob, there is a large resident population of what�s commonly referred to as mud shad (gizzard shad) in many of the river systems within Maryland, they definitely like to pile up below dams as they like the fast moving water, without a picture I�d guess that�s what you observed.

Gizzard or mud shad may be pretty good for largemouth. At younger ages, 1 or 2, largemouth can eat gizzard shad juvies, which may be important forage. They have oils and stuff that make them a good food choice for young and fast growing largemouth. Because adult gizzard shad usually eat decaying organic muck and/or small invertebrates, they don�t compete with adult largemouth bass for food. So, I haven�t heard of any negative impact on bass, only positive ones. Thanks for the question and hope the fishing�s good! Joe

Joseph W. Love, Ph.D.
Tidal Bass Manager