Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

Although the drought in the late ‘90s and early part of this decade was tough on largemouth bass, the news has been great the past few years. Good recruitment in most impoundments and tidal rivers has led to an increase in catch rates and numbers of bass reaching the preferred size of greater than 15 inches.

Each region of the state has at least one fishery that stands out. Read ahead to find out which local waters get the nod this year from fisheries biologists.

TIDEWATER
The Tidewater region is an exciting place to live if you are a bass angler. There are numerous tidal rivers and tributaries that include productive largemouth habitat. In addition to tidal rivers, the region also boasts of several lakes and numerous ponds that offer excellent bass fishing.

Biologist Bob Greenlee spends many days on the waters of the tidal rivers sampling them to keep his pulse on the various fisheries that draw anglers from all over the state. Greenlee noted that the drought beginning some 10 years ago and ending five years ago put a stranglehold on the bass fishery. However, bass populations have rebounded rapidly since them.

“By 2006, tidal bass populations were so strong that in many rivers, including the tidal Chickahominy, electrofishing catch rates were higher than any previous survey year.”

According to Greenlee, the Chick is seeing improvement in bass numbers because of good to excellent year-classes in 2004-2006. Anglers are already seeing the results, as those 2004 fish are now hitting 14 to 15 inches.

According to Greenlee’s data, a 2-year-old bass on the Chick will measure 12 inches. Give it another year and a half and the fish hits the 15-inch mark. Some anglers who fish the tidal Chick and the James may hook up with a real river trophy weighing 5 to 7 pounds. These fish are the result of a great 1998 spawn. Greenlee also pointed out that angler catch rates nearly doubled between 2002 and 2005 on the Chick -- and set a new record.

There is suitable habitat throughout the Chickahominy River, but at times, the lower river is affected by a drought. As of press time, the 2007 summer was in a drought. Bass angling may be better upriver this season. Visiting anglers should try the winding tributaries that enter the river. The cypress trees, lily pads and numerous duck blinds provide great places to fish. There are a number of 3- to 5-pound fish in the river and fishing should continue to be good for the next several years.

On the James River, the biological situation is much the same. Fishing the main river is best above Hopewell and in the tributaries between the Appomattox River and Upper Chippokes Creek. There are a number of boat ramps to access both rivers. Most are private, but some public ramps do exist. Consult your GPS or a GMCO map to locate the one best for you.

The tidal Rappahannock has also rebounded quickly with good spawns in 2004 and 2005. Many of these fish are already between 12 and 14 inches. Angler catches support the biologists’ findings, which showed record catch rates for the river.

According to Greenlee, the best showing they had of bass was when they sampled the river between Hicks Landing and Port Royal. There is good habitat for bass in the lower river near Leedstown, but anglers find it by venturing far into tidal creeks where salinity is lower.