Did I Really Catch a Striped Bass This Far Up River?

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Beneath the Lower Dam of Loch Raven Reservoir on the Gunpowder

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. Thanks to those who have served! I'm not a native Marylander, so perhaps I'm wrong, but this is a Striped Bass right? I caught it, and I promise I'm not making this up, beneath the lower dam of Loch Raven Reservoir on the Gunpowder. Needless to say, I was quite shocked. I've fished there for years, and have never caught or seen one before. Is it normal for them to come that far up the river? Also, do these fish hybridize with Largemouth Bass?

DNR Response: Rob, that is definitely a Striped Bass, one of our Striped Bass biologist believes it�s from the 2011 year-class, here�s his response: The fish is consistent in size with a 2 year old fish from the huge 2011 year-class. A year-class that large will spread out and go anywhere food and river flow allow. Fish from the 2011 spawn should recruit to the recreational fishery (min legal size 18 in) starting at age 3 and the majority of them by age 4, the 2011 Juvenile Index press release has more information.

Our Central Region Manager had this to add as well: Roughly 20 years ago Loch Raven Reservoir still had some Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids in the reservoir. However, they were much deeper bodied fish in appearance and they were sterile hybrids, so I am pretty certain your fish did not come out of the reservoir. We have had good flow spilling over Loch Raven dam most of the spring this year, so it is possible that a Striped Bass swam up from the mouth of the Gunpowder to the base of the dam. Largemouth and Striped Bass do not cross.