Aquatic environment is a dynamic one
From easy-to-wade warm-water streams, a smattering of natural lakes, and reservoirs of all shapes and sizes, Pennsylvania has an extensive offering of bass waters. It’s no wonder, then, that bass anglers of all different interest levels enjoy pursuing the Keystone State’s black bass, from casual bait-soakers to intense tournament anglers.
Fortunately, our state’s bass populations tend to be relatively stable, the fisheries self-sustaining. Flowing waters, which are more subject to the whims of weather patterns and water conditions, commonly experience highs and lows in terms of fish production from year to year. This is not so much the case in lakes and reservoirs, which by their nature furnish a steadier setting during the spawn and afterward.
Still, the aquatic environment is a dynamic one, where changes in conditions and fish populations warrant adjustments in management. As we usher in a new year, recently crossing the threshold of another winter season, it can be inspiring to think of the sport to some in a few short months.
Recently, I spoke with Bob Lorantas, Warmwater Unit Leader for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. I should note that at the point in time of our conversation Lorantas was still in the process of analyzing the data coming in from the eight management areas of the state (from 2018 survey efforts), but he was able to provide a general feel for how things should play out this season, bass-wise.
“To predict what’s likely to be happening in 2019 I looked back at recruitment levels were — production of young — back in 2015 and ’16,” Lorantas explained. “Speaking to rivers specifically, so this would apply mostly to smallmouth bass, in 2015 there was a little bit of a bump in the production of young bass within both the Susquehanna and Allegheny drainages. So that little bump should yield fish in the 12 to 15-inch range, perhaps more than would normally be expected.
“If we were to ‘crystal ball’ things a bit further, we noticed that in production of young in 2018 is was OK, but we had high flows throughout the late spring and summer, and as such the survival of those fish was not as high as, let’s say, in ’15 and ’16. So, for 2019, I’d say things are looking good on our rivers and lakes.”
Lorantas also looked at production levels in recent years in lakes and reservoirs. He noted that these settings tend to be more stable. and that production of young is more consistent.
“I’m going to say that, in lakes and reservoirs, anglers should experience a similar bass structure as during the recent past,” Lorantas said. “The status is copesetic.”
One of the waters highlighted by Lorantas is a significant portion of the main stem of the Susquehanna River. As most bass anglers now — particularly ones from the central and eastern part of the state — the once world-class river smallmouth fishery had, over the past decade and a half, diminished from its former self. This led the agency to establish catch and release regulations on portions of the Susquehanna, as well as the lower Juniata. More recently, within those same waters, it has been illegal to target bass during the six weeks before the mid-June bass season opener, which is the spawning period.
“Within the upper portion of the main stem of the Susquehanna River, starting below the fabridam — where the West Branch and North Branch join — our fisheries managers have documented fairly high catch rates. This includes the main stem as far down as the confluence of the Juniata River.
Lorantas said that changes in management, aided by the natural recuperative powers of the river, have paid off, and smallmouth bass fishing is good again.
“And of course the North Branch has consistently provided good fishing opportunities,” he added.
Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle
