The Tidal Bass Survey team began systematically collecting data on the distribution of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in 1999. The team began by surveying some of the most fishery-targeted streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Potomac River and the Choptank River. Since then, the team has refined and expanded their surveys to the Patuxent River, the Upper Bay region, the Chester River, the Nanticoke River, and the Wicomico River.

The mission of the Tidal Bass Survey is to generate reliable indices that monitor tidal populations of black bass (Micropterus salmoides and M. dolomieu) in order to protect and enhance the tidal bass fishery for the State of Maryland

The Tidal Bass Survey TEAM includes Biologists from the headquarters of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Hatchery at Cedarville State Park, and the Hatchery at Unicorn, MD.

Key Leaders in the MDNR Tidal Bass Survey team:

• Don Cosden, Assistant Fisheries Director
• Charles Gougeon, Manager of Regional Operations
• Joseph Love, Tidal Bass Manager
• Mary Groves, Southern Regional Manager
• Rick Schaefer, Eastern Regional Manager
• Brian Richardson, Hatchery Manager

Status

Approximately 600 largemouth bass will be stocked in late October to Middle River to help enhance that population. This stocking effort is a joint project involving Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Bass Federation Nation, Domino Sugar, and Wheelabrator of Baltimore. Catch statistics from the fall tidal bass survey are currently being compiled and will be posted soon in the “Reports and Publications” section of Monitoring and Research. We will also post some results from the tournament-mortality study, which will be continued for at least one more year in Mattawoman Creek. Finally, check out a new map of recreational angling access areas on the Recreational Anglers page. This map is dedicated for tidal bass fishing and will be updated with catch statistics from our tidal bass survey. The map also allows anglers the opportunity to comment and rate each of the fishing areas, share ideas related to fishing those areas, and hopefully encourage new anglers to take advantage of some excellent bass fishing throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Training

Want to Study Fish? Click Here for some great in-state schools with fish programs.

Want to Help out with Our Surveys? Click Here.