Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2017 - 10
photo-Rick Como
Shenango RiveR Lake'S TempeRaTe BaSSeS
inches long. My largest Shenango River Lake hybrid to date is 34
inches, weighing 20 pounds," said Como.
According to Timothy Wilson, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission's (PFBC's) Area 1 Fisheries Manager, Shenango
Living in northwestern Pennsylvania, I have observed Shenango River Lake was originally stocked with purebred Striped Bass
River Lake, Mercer County, undergo significant shifts in "great
between 1976 and 1985, but returns were low. Stocking of hybrids
fishing" for several species.
began in 1986.
First was a Northern Pike explosion when the lake was
"Hybrids have been successful, because they can tolerate
initially impounded in the mid-1960s, followed by a fantastic
the warmer temperatures of Shenango River Lake better than
population of Largemouth Bass in the 1970s and early 1980s,
purebred Striped Bass. As aggressive predators, they utilize just
then outstanding Walleye and crappie fishing, including a state
about any forage base. They survive best and grow fastest when
record crappie in the late 1980s.
schooling pelagic forage like Gizzard Shad and Alewives are
Today, two members of the temperate basses are making
present, but they can utilize Bluegills, Yellow Perch or crappies as
headlines at Shenango River Lake.
well," said Wilson.
"Shenango River Lake's hybrid Striped Bass and White Bass
Shenango River Lake White Bass are self-sustaining, meaning
provide incredible action when other species go on summer
they successfully reproduce in the system on their own. None are
hiatus," said local angler, Rick Como, who moved to Sharpsville, stocked. However, as a hatchery cross between a White Bass and
Mercer County, upon retirement, so he would be within minutes purebred Striped Bass, hybrid Stiped Bass cannot reproduce and
of Shenango River Lake.
must be stocked.
Como has been chasing hybrid Striped Bass for over 25
Hybrid Striped Bass are not raised in Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
years-first on Lake Arthur, Butler County, then on Shenango
Commission hatcheries. Instead, fingerlings are obtained from
River Lake. Shenango River Lake has a huge population of White other states. The fishery plan calls for a stocking density of five
Bass in addition to larger hybrids, along with good populations of fingerlings per acre, annually. However, occasionally that target
Northern Pike and other gamefish. Many Shenango River Lake
density is not met because a sufficient number of fingerling hybrid
hybrids are 26- to 27-inches long, and some fish are about 30
Striped Bass are not available.
by Darl Black
10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2017
www.gonefishingpa.com
http://www.gonefishingpa.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2017
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