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New River - Smallmouth Study Data
Support for "catch & release only" section
by Brian King

The WV DNR is currently proposing a "catch and release only" section on the New River. (Note: The catch and release regulations took effect on Jan. 1, 2001.) The proposed section starts at the I-64 bridge downriver of Sandstone Falls and runs to Quinnimont (Grandview Sandbar). This proposal was brought up last year, but later tabled because the people who supported it did not attend the meetings. The following data is from a study conducted during 1997 and 1998. It was initially started after local anglers expressed an interest in special regs for the New River. Area outfitters agreed to assist in collecting data on all smallmouth caught during fishing trips. This data included the area fished, size and numbers of smallmouth caught, and the number of hours spent fishing.

In order to make a comparison of the collected data, the river was divided into three sections. The sections were Sandstone to Prince, Prince to Thurmond, and Thurmond to Fayette Station. The information from the two years was collected and the three sections compared. The final analysis is presented below. Keep in mind, if implemented, the "catch and release only" regs would apply ONLY to smallmouth bass. Other species would not be affected.

Proposed section is in red || SMB = smallmouth bass

Section of River	SMB per Angler	SMB Over 12" per Angler	SMB Caught per Hour	SMB Over 12" Caught per Hour
Sandstone to Prince	10.2	2.3	1.16	0.26
Prince to Thurmond	16.7	3.9	1.49	0.35
Thurmond to Fayette Station	17.8	4.9	1.86	0.51
Totals	15.2	3.7	1.50	0.36

Section of River	Number of Anglers	Total Smallmouth	Smallmouth Over 12"
Sandstone to Prince	163	1668	371
Prince to Thurmond	284	4743	1102
Thurmond to Fayette Station	143	2540	702
Totals	590	8951	2175

Key Points of the Study

Anglers caught fewer total smallies in the Sandstone to Prince section.

• 39% fewer than in the Prince to Thurmond section
• 43% fewer than in the Thurmond to Fayette Station section

Anglers caught fewer large smallies [ 12" and larger ] in the Sandsone to Prince section.

• 41% fewer than in the Prince to Thurmond section
• 53% fewer than in the Thurmond to Fayette Station section

Fewer total smallies were caught per hour in the Sandstone to Prince section.

• 22% fewer than in the Prince to Thurmond section
• 38% fewer than in the Thurmond to Fayette Station section

Fewer large smallies [ 12" and larger ] were caught per hour in the Sandstone to Prince section.

• 26% fewer than in the Prince to Thurmond section
• 49% fewer than in the Thurmond to Fayette Station section

An analysis of DNR sectional meeting questionaires showed the majority of anglers voted FOR "catch and release only" regulations to be implemented on the Sandstone to Prince section.

• 88% of all sportsmens clubs were in favor of the proposal
• 86% of all individual sportsmen were in favor of the proposal

The Sandstone to Prince section has less whitewater than the other sections in the study. This would make it more easily accessible for anglers wanting to fish a catch and release area as well as making it less dangerous. Implementing "catch and release only" regs from Sandstone to Prince [ revised: I-64 bridge to Grandview Sandbar ] would allow this 12 mile section of river to grow quality smallmouths. This proposal should not be viewed as the state trying to regulate anglers, but as a means for improving the numbers and quality of smallies within this stretch. Of the three sections studied, this one would most benefit from strict catch and release practices.