Robert Comer caught this 22 citation smallmouth bass in the Shenandoah River April 12th, 2013
Fish population on the Shenandoah River is better than it’s ever been. The smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish kills seems to have run its course and fewer dead fish are showing up more each year. The lesions that were a concern on the fish have also been slowly regressing. Out of the 1,000+ smallmouth bass my family and friends have caught this year only two have had lesions. The increased rainfall this year has kept the river level up this year making fishing enjoyable due to the reduced amount of algae and underwater grasses fisherman has had to deal with.
Another contributor to a healthy river system has been the efforts of organizations that care about the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The list of projects that go on to improve water quality is staggering. Challenges are constantly being discussed to improve stream back restorations and waste water practices. Many different organizations and landowners are to be credited for their efforts. Just a few of the organizations are the PureWaterForum, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Department of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Shenandoah Riverkeeper and others. Local government also does their fair share. One example is the Town of Shenandoah who has participated in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’sClean the Bay Dayevery June since 2008 and the town also received the Local and State Soil AND Water Conservation Urban Forestry Awards in 2008 for best practice efforts made at the Town of Shenandoah River Park.
In the Town of Shenandoah expect good largemouth bass fishing above the dam where you can launch motorized boats and jet skis at the River Park boat ramp. Below the dam is best suited for small mouth bass fishing where you can launch canoes and kayaks at the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative Hydro-electric power plant's portage path. Tubes, kayaks and canoes can be rented immediately downstream from the hydro-electric plant at www.shenandoahriveradventures.com
Generally Shenandoah River watercraft and fishing opportunities are best done by launching your watercraft at one of the many Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries public boating access points. A full listing of these areas can be found at www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/access
To get fishing reports, ask questions and find out more about fishing the Shenandoah River please visit the Shenandoah River Anglers Club forum at www.srac.shenandoahnewz.com
