Rappahannock River
Sponsored by
Date
|
12-Feb-15
|
|
Water Condition
|
|
|
Water Temperature
|
|
|
Conditions
: Rappahannock River: 2015 OUTLOOK - It is likely anglers will experience reduced Smallmouth Bass catch rates at least through 2015 on the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers, but the dominant 2014 year class should help increase catch rates of stock and quality size fish in the near future. Smallmouth Bass electrofishing catch rate was 35 fish/hour in 2014 which was well below average, but only 12 adults per hour were collected which was near an all-time low. Big fish numbers were fair but declined since 2013 likely as a result of an additional year of mortality on previously dominant, aging year classes. Several citations were collected between the old Embry Dam site and Route 1. Smallmouth bass recruitment in 2014 was excellent and the strongest since 2010. A trend of poor year classes was finally reversed after spring flows dictated below average year classes in five of seven years spanning 2008-2014. There are plenty of Channel and small Blue Catfish to be caught for that camp dinner from well above the junction on both arms downstream to Fredericksburg. Reported by: |
|
Hatches:
|
Patterns |
Lures & Spinners |
|
|
|
|
|
|
About: -
The Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers provide excellent smallmouth bass and
redbreast sunfish angling above Fredericksburg and tidal influence.
Additionally, herring, shad and striped bass run the river each spring and
ascend past Fredericksburg now that Embrey Dam has been completely removed.
Below the fall line, the Rappahannock has good populations of white perch,
largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and
blue catfish. Several of these species (e.g., yellow perch and channel catfish)
are now being found above the old dam site. The fish community above
Fredericksburg is currently in a state of flux and will probably not stabilize
for several more years as species of resident and migratory fish establish new
territories.
|
|
|
Misc Info: -
|
|
|