NBSA

Members of the North Branch Smallmouth Alliance pose with the informational sign that was erected at the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Susquehanna River access in Terrytown on Aug. 20. The group will post 12 signs at
PFBC accesses and other launches along the river to promote catch-and-release of large smallmouth bass.

A small but dedicated group of outdoorsmen is doing its best to protect the smallmouth bass fishery in the Susquehanna
River.The North Branch Smallmouth Alliance, a non-profit organization with the goal of preserving quality smallmouth
fishing on the stream, has been erecting signs at numerous boat launches in the area, promoting catch-and-release
practices to anglers.“We’re trying to educate the average angler to throw the larger fish back,” said club president Greg
Smith of Tunkhannock.The signs, which as of last week had been erected at launches and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission (PFBC) access points in Terrytown, Tunkhannock, Sayre, Wysox and Mehoopany, urge anglers to
“Practice Selective Harvest.”According to the signs, it takes smallmouth bass five years to reach 13 inches; six years to
reach 15 inches and eight years to reach 18 inches.“By releasing smallmouth bass 15-inches or larger, you may greatly
improve the quality of fish in this part of the river,” the signs state.They go on to give tips on the correct ways to practice
catch-and-release.“It just takes so long to get a smallmouth up to 18 inches,” Smith said. “Trophy fish are hard to
get.”Wyalusing-area resident Mike Lionetti, another club member, added, “We want to change the old-school mentality
(about keeping larger fish). It’s time to enter the new millennium.”Currently, the group has 28 members and funding to
place the signs at 12 locations.“Eventually, we hope to have signs up from the New York border to Bloomsburg,” Smith
said.The signs are being erected with permission of the PFBC.Smith pointed out that the larger older females are the
key to maintaining adequate reproduction.According to their website, www.nbssmallmouthalliance.com, “northern
smallmouth bass don’t mature to spawn for the first time until they are between five and nine years of age.”Because of
this, when anglers are keeping bigger smallmouth on their creels instead of releasing them, they are taking a breeding
fish from the water.“Big bass are critical for spawning success,” the website continues. “They nest earlier and recuperate
faster and their offspring are more likely to survive the winter starvation period.”When younger smallmouth are forced to
spawn, they have a higher mortality rate, shortening their lifespan by as much as two years. Smith and Lionetti both
pointed out that the main stem of the river near Harrisburg was once an excellent smallmouth bass fishing area and,
now, the North Branch has surpassed it in their opinion.In June, the PFBC announced a study to assess the smallmouth
population on the lower West Branch from Muncy to Montgomery.That survey will evaluate population and size structure
and will also include an angler survey to measure catch and harvest rates through September.Anyone interested in
joining the North Branch Smallmouth Alliance can do so by visiting the website.The group also meets at Mark’s Valley
View Restaurant on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. The next meeting is set for Sept. 6.