Fish News By FishTalk Editor Lenny Rudow

FiSh NeWS

James River Muskie Study Complete

Researchers from Coastal Carolina University in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, and West Virginia University completed a two-year study on catch-and-release muskellunge fishing mortality during the summer months in the upper James River. Almost 100 fish were surgically implanted with tags, and tagged fish were caught and released when water temperatures were above 80 degrees. Researchers then used mortality estimates along with growth data and angler catch data to simulate how a summer closure might reduce mortality.

The bottom line? Mortality did rise substantially when fish were caught and released in warm water, to the tune of 33.3 percent. However, few muskie are caught during this period of time due to a combination of low angler targeting effort and “extremely low” fishing action. As a result, researchers concluded that a summer closure would not significantly impact the size structure of the population in the upper James and no regulation changes are expected at this time.

The Original Invasive

Remember zebra mussels? All the way back in the 1980s these tiny shellfish were first recognized as a problematic invasive species, and when they began their biofouling blitz, biologists turned their attention to the issue of invasive species in a big way. Now, scientists say these pests could lead to significant scientific advances. Researchers at the University of Toronto are studying their impeccable ability to stick to things, and professor Eli Sone believes that understanding the proteinbased glue they secrete could be critical. “If we understand why they stick so well, that could help us design things like non-toxic biodegradable glue, which could offer an alternative to internal stitches for surgery or localized drug delivery applications,” he says.

By Lenny Rudow

# Hayden with his new state record tripletail — sweet catch, Hayden!

Tripletail Record for VA

Up until now Virginia didn’t have a state record for tripletail, but in 2020 they added the species to their list of potentials with a minimum size of eight pounds to start. Then last summer teen angler Hayden Head of Yorktown landed an eight-pound, nine-ounce fish while fishing near York Spit. The record tripletail was spotted hanging near a weed mat. Head flipped a live crab to it, and back on shore the catch was weighed and positively identified by a Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament committee member. This winter, the state of Virginia accepted the catch as a new official state record. Congrats, Hayden Head!

# The Maryland rockfish regs will go unchanged for the 2022 season.

Maryland 2022 Striped Bass Season Mirrors 2021

The Maryland DNR has announced no changes in the Chesapeake Bay striped bass fishery for the 2022 season, which will remain identical to 2021 regulations. March 1 through March 31 will allow limited catch-and-release fishing (with specific gear restrictions as outlined on the DNR website) in the main-stem Bay (spawning rivers and Upper Bay spawning areas will remain closed as illustrated on the DNR Striped Bass Regulations Maps); April will be 100-percent closed to targeting striped bass for any reason in any waters; May 1 through May 15 is a main-stem Bay from Brewerton Channel south trophy season with a one-fish, 35-inch minimum size limit; and May 16 the size limit drops to 19 inches with a one-fish per person limit, but fishing is still limited to the main-stem Bay as outlined on DNR maps.

June 1 through July 15 and August 1 through December 10 all areas of the Bay are open, and July 16 through 31 the summer closure remains in place. All of last year’s additional restrictions such as the use of non-offset circle hooks with bait and the trophy season prohibition of using eels as bait also remain in place. In Maryland coastal waters the yearround one-fish per day, 28- to 35-inch slot limit remains in effect through 2022. For additional information check the latest on the Maryland DNR website.

ASA Expands

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has announced that John Chambers has joined its ranks as its new public affairs manager. As the sportfishing industry’s trade association works to ensure a unified voice for the industry and for all anglers, Chambers will support strategies including building the sportfishing community, strengthening communications, and increasing engagement. Learn more about the ASA at asafishing.org.

Tournament News

As one might, expect March is a quiet month for tournaments in this region, but there are a few local ones taking place. Virginia freshwater anglers will want to check the schedule at Anna Point Marina on Lake Anna, as March kicks off the Fish Tales series as well as a couple of other bass tournaments. Fishers of Men has a March event on Kerr Lake, and CATT VA’s James River division has a March 12 qualifier. There are also a handful of Maryland and Potomac River bass tournaments taking place this month, which are detailed on the dnr.maryland.gov listing of approved bass tournaments.