"Black bass regulations on most large reservoirs in the Southeast are no longer necessary," he said. "Bass anglers who fish these reservoirs practice catch-and-release to the extent that harvest is no longer a limiting factor in the black bass populations. Release rates for bass at Smith Mountain Lake in 2003 were 91 percent, which is in the normal range for reservoirs. Most large reservoirs in the Southeast are in the mid-90 percent range. When the 14-inch, two-fish regulation was established, the release rates were much lower and the regulations had more of an impact. Over time, the regulation has probably become antiquated, but it would take a removal of the regulation to absolutely prove it. Since all the reservoirs on the Roanoke River have the same regulation and no one has really complained about it, we have just left it the way it is. The regulation is probably not helping or hurting the bass populations."

Because the regulation is probably not helping the bass population, the limit could conceivably be made more liberal. However, Wilson notes that the bass angler community sometimes perceives the removal or relaxing of such regulations indicate a lack of concern for bass populations, so any deregulation is often met with some hesitation. Bass anglers would rather have a strong fishery and tight regulations than a generous bag limit that leads to tougher fishing. Therefore, anglers would have to be assured that the current limit can change without hurting the fishery.

"We have discussed changing to state regulations or something similar on all these 14-inch, two-fish waters just to simplify the regulations since they probably are not contributing much anymore," Wilson said. "I do expect that the 14-inch, two-fish limit may be changed in the future."

Wilson added that bass regulations are still very effective in smaller reservoirs or lakes because of the limited number of fish available, the accessibility of these fish (harder to hide or escape a hook in only 100 acres of shallow water) and the more diverse group of anglers that fish these waters (a larger percentage of the anglers are harvest oriented).

THE RAPPAHANNOCK
DGIF biologist John Odenkirk is in charge of the Rappahannock and has some good news to report.

"Smallmouth anglers in northern Virginia will be thankful for the perfect environmental conditions of spring 2004 for years to come, as a record smallmouth bass year-class was produced," Odenkirk said. "Electrofishing catch rate of age-0 (young-of-year) smallmouth bass during fall samples was an astounding 43 per hour -- triple the average and the highest documented, by far, since record keeping began in 1995.

"These fish will show up most noticeably in creels beginning in spring, 2006. However, 2005 probably brought marginally fewer quality fish than 2004, as trophies from the excellent 1997 year-class continue to dwindle from the population. However, if the persistence of the 1997 class was any indicator, the 2004 year-class smallmouths should be with us for years to come. Average spawns through the late 1990s and early 2000s resulted in modest numbers and size structure during the past few years, but the near spawning failure of 2003 was likely fully felt in 2005. Forage increases because of shad migration above Embrey Dam should result in increased growth and higher biomass at upstream sites."

Embrey Dam, of course, was removed several years ago, and both the angling and paddling communities greeted its destruction with widespread approval.

LAKE MOOMAW & MAURY RIVER
In northwest Virginia lie two important smallmouth fisheries: Lake Moomaw and the Maury River. Biologist Paul Bugas monitors this duo.

"The smallmouth population at Lake Moomaw is outstanding," Bugas said. "Gill net sets for trout the winter of 2004-05 yielded large catches of quality smallmouths around Coles Point and Hughes Draft. Electrofishing in April produced numerous 13- to 19-inch smallies suspended along vertical structure in the lower lake. Later in spring, big females were captured and released in the riverine sections of the Jackson River and Back Creek. Reproduction is strong and growth remains good."