https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/smallmouth_bass_stocking.aspx

 

 

All things are cyclical and it looks like the Upper Potomac could be on a rebound for Smallmouth bass after some tough years. The survey done this month  shows that this year’s spawn was better than average after several poor spawning seasons. Maryland DNR also stocked 30,000 fingerlings ans WV DNR stocked 5000. I am not sure if that’s a drop In the bucket or not, but it can’t hurt. I have seen a lot of bait fish In the river, some of which may have been young of year bass. Not sure of growth rates, but if we are catching more 6-10 inch bass next season plus the larger ones, that will be a good sign!

29 minutes ago, Brian Martalus said:

https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/smallmouth_bass_stocking.aspx

 

 

All things are cyclical and it looks like the Upper Potomac could be on a rebound for Smallmouth bass after some tough years. The survey done this month  shows that this year’s spawn was better than average after several poor spawning seasons. Maryland DNR also stocked 30,000 fingerlings ans WV DNR stocked 5000. I am not sure if that’s a drop In the bucket or not, but it can’t hurt. I have seen a lot of bait fish In the river, some of which may have been young of year bass. Not sure of growth rates, but if we are catching more 6-10 inch bass next season plus the larger ones, that will be a good sign!

I'm hoping for the same scenario way up river in the Shenandoah. 

SM numbers have dropped significantly over the past few years because of spawning conditions or lack of. 

Hopefully it will bounce back as well. I had read how great it was and fished it on July 4th around Bentonville. I only got two Smallie plus one 10-15 pound catfish during the day. There were tons of tubers/swimmers so I chalked it up to that. Then I fished a nice quiet stretch at magic hour and didn’t even get a bite besides blue gills which really disappointed me.