Potomac Report

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Upper Potomac from Spring Gap near Cumberland downstream to Seneca

Inland Fisheries recently completed the annual seining survey of the upper Potomac River and the major tributaries to estimate natural reproduction of smallmouth bass. A total of 93 hauls were conducted from Spring Gap near Cumberland downstream to Seneca. The average number of young smallmouth captured per seine haul was 1.5, just below the long-term average of 1.8 and the abundance of young bass was consistent throughout the river. Smallmouth reproduction was slightly higher in the Monocacy River at 2.0 bass per haul and very high in Conococheague Creek at 7.0 bass per haul. Due to the warm spring, many smallmouth bass spawned early and the young bass were larger than usual, which is expected to increase their chance of survival during the coming winter. The adult segment of the fish populations are surveyed each year during the fall.

In spite of the heat and low river levels, bass fishing has remained pretty good. While topwater baits have been effective early and late, tubes and four inch worms have generally been the most consistent producers. Most of the Potomac tributaries hold fishable numbers of smallmouth bass and sunfish and these smaller waters can offer more solitude and shade to beat the summer heat. Small baits will generally get the most action, but some large bass can be found even in these smaller waters.