North Fork Shenandoah Biologist Report 2024
Smallmouth Bass
The North Fork Shenandoah is down, but not completely out. It may not have the overall numbers of smallmouth that it once did a few years ago, but a float trip on this river will not disappoint. During our 2024 spring raft sampling we collected 318 Smallmouth Bass at a rate of 52.7 fish per hour within three 6 mile floats located within the upper, middle, and lower sections of the North Fork (Figure 1). Our total catch rate increased slightly compared to our 2023 sample but remains below the long-term average of 66.8 bass per hour. Approximately 45% of the smallmouth were 11” or greater with 20% topping 14”. Typical of the North Fork, only 2% of the sample measured 17” plus. Our sample was slightly biased due to low clear water. Our netters observed numerous quality fish running from the raft escaping capture. The number of quality and preferred sized fish continues to increase when compared to previous year’s samples (Figure 2). However, overall numbers are below average frustrating both biologists and anglers alike. Unfortunately, we continue to experience poor spawning success within the North Fork which is causing a lag in the population’s recovery. In 2018 the North Fork Shenandoah experienced long-term record flooding which appears to have had a negative impact on the fish community (see the steep drop, in overall catch rate in figure 1 during the 2019 sample). Certain segments of the population continue to struggle to recover from this event.
During the spring, biologists and hatchery staff raised fingerling smallmouth bass at the Front Royal Fish Cultural Station. This effort is part of a long-term smallmouth bass stocking project. Fortunately, the hatchery produced more fish than what was required for the study. A surplus of 19,102 fingerlings were stocked into the North Fork Shenandoah as a result. The fish were spread out within four sections of the North Fork: New Market to Mount Jackson (16.81km), Seven Bends State Park to Artz Road (17.23km), Helsey Lane to Colby Lane (16km) and Deer Rapids to Long Meadow Road (21km). Each bass was marked using oxytetracycline to help biologists determine the percentage of stocked fish that recruit to the population. Hopefully survival will be high and assist with the recovery of these sections of river. Biologists will replicate this stocking in 2025 if surplus bass are once again produced; and will cease stocking if the population makes a recovery, either through natural spawning or stocking efforts.
As for fishing in 2025, anglers should target the middle and lower reaches of the North Fork within the Woodstock, Edinburg, and Strasburg areas. Biologists observed good overall numbers and the highest amount of quality fish within these sections.
The North Fork has more than just Smallmouth to offer our avid anglers. Fallfish are plentiful in some sections of the North Fork, can exceed 14 inches, and should not be overlooked. Anglers should also encounter fantastic numbers of Redbreast Sunfish in most areas. Our sample yielded the third highest catch rate within the last ten years and 23% of the sample contained fish larger than 6” (Figure 3). Within the deeper pools, the opportunity to catch a quality-sized Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, or the occasional Musky is possible. Pool habitat is limited, so seek out deeper water when targeting these species. If you plan a float trip on the North Fork Shenandoah; stick to spring and early summer, as low flows and dense vegetation can make fishing and navigation difficult later in the year.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3