Rock Bass

[Troutmeister]

Sometimes in the summer after the trout are gone I fish the Jordan Creek for whatever will bite. Lots of little Redbreasts and Rock Bass. Couple weeks ago I landed a Smallie a little over 16". Surprised the heck out of me, probably the biggest one I've ever caught out of that creek in over 60 yrs. of fishing it.

 

[jifigz]

I appreciate the responses, and fully agree with almost all of them. So is the decrease in the Rock Bass population a water quality issue? I always loved smacking rock bass, green sunnies and redbreasts while in the quest for sticking that elusive 20” Smallie!!

I don't think the decrease in populations is a water quality issue. I doubt the water in the Juniata has degraded that much in 20 years to make them all but vanish. They used to be in an extreme abundance in the watershed.

I'm not buying that every stream and river across the Mid-Atlantic suddenly acquired much dirtier water.

 

[goose54cdd]

I used to fish the Juniata for them on days I wanted a meal of fish fillets. They were a lot of fun. I can't find them anymore in the Huntingdon-Mount Union area. Of course I quit targeting them years ago when they disappeared. Maybe they're back. I don't know.

 

[TimMurphy]

I don't think the decrease in populations is a water quality issue. I doubt the water in the Juniata has degraded that much in 20 years to make them all but vanish. They used to be in an extreme abundance in the watershed.

I'm not buying that every stream and river across the Mid-Atlantic suddenly acquired much dirtier water.

Dear jifigz,

If you looked at the article I posted in this thread it does a good job of describing several of the water issues. They are not necessarily pollution issues but in the lower Susquehanna there are thermal issues that occur with run-off during storms at critical times. Unusual heat followed by torrential rain leads to elevated water temperatures in the shallow shoreline water that is detrimental to the spawn. It would be nice if Mike the fish guy chimed in, but I think that development along the river has increased the probability of thermal problems during critical times of the year where water temperature plays a large part in fish patterns and behavior. It makes sense to me that there could be issues when eggs are laid on schedule in 59-degree water and then 80 plus degree four-lane highway and parking lot run-off washes over the beds a few days later. But what do I know? 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[jifigz]

Dear jifigz,

If you looked at the article I posted in this thread it does a good job of describing several of the water issues. They are not necessarily pollution issues but in the lower Susquehanna there are thermal issues that occur with run-off during storms at critical times. Unusual heat followed by torrential rain leads to elevated water temperatures in the shallow shoreline water that is detrimental to the spawn. It would be nice if Mike the fish guy chimed in, but I think that development along the river has increased the probability of thermal problems during critical times of the year where water temperature plays a large part in fish patterns and behavior. It makes sense to me that there could be issues when eggs are laid on schedule in 59-degree water and then 80 plus degree four-lane highway and parking lot run-off washes over the beds a few days later. But what do I know? 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

No, that's a sound theory, but.......Not much has changed along the Juniata corridor. There hasn't been any large scale development or change that would lead to spikes in water temperatures. Along the river, Mifflin and Huntingdon counties have largely stayed the same since I was born. That theory doesn't explain their disappearance up in my neck of the woods.

 

[jifigz]

I used to fish the Juniata for them on days I wanted a meal of fish fillets. They were a lot of fun. I can't find them anymore in the Huntingdon-Mount Union area. Of course I quit targeting them years ago when they disappeared. Maybe they're back. I don't know.

They're not back. They are few and far between.

 

[Dave_W]

My local WW creek that I fish in summer here in Adams Co remains full of them. I probably caught two dozen off a single bridge piling a few days ago and many were large ~10 inches.

I agree, they are much rarer in the big rivers. We have discussed this topic quite a bit over the years.

 

[jifigz]

I agree, they are much rarer in the big rivers. We have discussed this topic quite a bit over the years.

We have, and it remains a totally mystery to me as to why they vanished.