World Class Small Mouth Bass Fishery?

[Scorpio]

Will the Susquehanna River in PA ever return to the world class fishery it once was? Smallmouth anglers on the Susquehanna have seen significantly reduced numbers of fish caught. So far, data show that each year since 1999, the numbers of Young of the Year bass have declined over most of the Susquehanna River system. In years past, it was common-place to catch 30 fish per day, with several of those fish being in the 17-19" range. These larger fish are typically over 7 years old. The causes of the population decline continue to be a mystery, although some fish have exhibited sores around the gills and on other parts of the body.

Examinations of afflicted fish revealed that an infectious bacterium was responsible for the skin condition and for the mortalities. The bacterium, Flavobacterium columnare (columnaris), is a common soil and water bacterium. While harmless to humans, columnaris can infect all species of freshwater fish. Columnaris disease is a secondary infection brought on by environmental or nutritional factors that stress fish. The exact stress factors supporting Columnaris which is causing the kills is currently unknown.

Only time will tell if the fish kills continue. Research is ongoing. If any of you all are planning to come fishing on the Suesquehanna, I suggest you contact the PA Fish and Boat Commission because there are sections of the River system that have not been impacted as much, and still provide some good fishing.

[smallieking]

Good article. I havent had a good day on susquehanna for years. used to be my favorite. now its just a waste of gas. Population in harrisburg is not helping the population either. I recomend checking out the west branch of the susquehanna. its much smaller with more current but it def has good populations of healthy smallmouth.

[Dave T.]

Yes, great article. Fortunately, we are able to fish sections of the river that have been impacted minimally.

Hopefully, over time, the disease may disappear.

[Fish Fast]

i truly believe fishing success in all areas is somewhat cyclical in nature.....If the habitat is there, hopefully it will come back.  There are so many changes going on with population, environment, introduction of new species, etc. that it's not hard to believe that fishing changes over a 10 year span.

[iceintheveins]

The upper main branch of the Susky in New York still fishes very well. Sad to hear the mid and lower Susky is suffering. So much good looking smallmouth water.