10 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2017 www.gonefishingpa.com

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 River Lake was originally stocked with purebred Striped Bass between 1976 and 1985, but returns were low. Stocking of hybrids began in 1986.

“Hybrids have been successful, because they can tolerate the warmer temperatures of Shenango River Lake better than purebred Striped Bass. As aggressive predators, they utilize just about any forage base. They survive best and grow fastest when schooling pelagic forage like Gizzard Shad and Alewives are present, but they can utilize Bluegills, Yellow Perch or crappies as well,” said Wilson.

Shenango River Lake White Bass are self-sustaining, meaning they successfully reproduce in the system on their own. None are stocked. However, as a hatchery cross between a White Bass and purebred Striped Bass, hybrid Stiped Bass cannot reproduce and must be stocked.

Hybrid Striped Bass are not raised in Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission hatcheries. Instead, fingerlings are obtained from other states. The fishery plan calls for a stocking density of five fingerlings per acre, annually. However, occasionally that target density is not met because a sufficient number of fingerling hybrid Striped Bass are not available.

photo-Rick Como

Living in northwestern Pennsylvania, I have observed Shenango River Lake, Mercer County, undergo significant shifts in “great fishing” for several species.

First was a Northern Pike explosion when the lake was initially impounded in the mid-1960s, followed by a fantastic population of Largemouth Bass in the 1970s and early 1980s, then outstanding Walleye and crappie fishing, including a state record crappie in the late 1980s.

Today, two members of the temperate basses are making headlines at Shenango River Lake.

“Shenango River Lake’s hybrid Striped Bass and White Bass provide incredible action when other species go on summer hiatus,” said local angler, Rick Como, who moved to Sharpsville, Mercer County, upon retirement, so he would be within minutes of Shenango River Lake.

Como has been chasing hybrid Striped Bass for over 25 years—first on Lake Arthur, Butler County, then on Shenango River Lake. Shenango River Lake has a huge population of White Bass in addition to larger hybrids, along with good populations of Northern Pike and other gamefish. Many Shenango River Lake hybrids are 26- to 27-inches long, and some fish are about 30

by Darl Black

Shenango RiveR Lake’S TempeRaTe BaSSeS

11 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2017

Fish identificationIt is very important to be able to identify the difference

between White Bass and hybrid Striped Bass, because these bass have different minimum length and creel limits. Hybrid Striped Bass have a 20-inch minimum length limit and a 2 fish per day creel limit while White Bass have no minimum length limit and are combined with other panfish species in a 50 fish per day creel limit. White Bass have 5 to 9 rows of thin, parallel stripes along the sides—often with small sections that are interrupted, intermittent or veering. Hybrid Striped Bass have 7 to 8 rows of thick, dark parallel stripes that are often interrupted or broken. By sticking your finger in the fish’s mouth, you can feel for the rough tooth patch on the tongue. White Bass have one tooth patch. Striped Bass and hybrid Striped Bass have two tooth patches.

“Our trap net catches of hybrid Striped Bass have fluctuated over the years, but our last two surveys (2010 and 2014) have been better than average,” said Wilson. “We have seen very good numbers overall with wide size distribution, so it appears that the survival of stocked fingerlings has been good most years.”

Based on scale analysis, in Shenango River Lake, it takes 4 years for a hybrid to reach the legal size limit of 20 inches. Hybrid Striped Bass as old as 11-years-old have been captured.

“I would classify the Shenango River Lake hybrid fishery as good to very good,” said Wilson.

According to Como, who fishes Shenango River Lake several days every week, hybrid Striped Bass and large White Bass begin offshore schooling in June. “Both species travel together as they roam about the reservoir following shad,” said Como. “Locating the fish is priority one. They seem to gravitate to structures near the river channel by mid-summer. Being able to identify Gizzard Shad schools and larger fish below them on your sonar is absolutely crucial.”

Como recommends hitting the lake at first light to encounter summertime surface feeding. If you can get within casting distance of surface activity, topwater baits will draw explosive strikes.

Later in the morning, Como will cast or troll shad-like crankbaits, which dive to at least 10 feet. He concentrates on main lake points where he identifies suspended shad schools roughly 10 feet below the surface.

Como likes a 7-foot, medium power rod with a reel featuring a strong drag. “Both Striped Bass and really big White Bass are drag burners,” said Como. “You’ve got to keep the drag setting on the light side, or a Striped Bass will snap your line before you know what happened.”

His rig is simple—a size #1 circle hook with enough weight attached to the line to keep the shad down. Usually two or three large splitshots are enough. If the shad swims to the surface, add more weight. The splitshots are crimped on the line about 16 inches above the bait.

On his fishfinder, Como notes the depth of large gamefish marks beneath shad schools and strips off line until the bait reaches just above the fish. Next, he engages his trolling motor and slowly trolls around the ledge, roadbed or channel edge where fish are concentrated.

“White Bass are generally more aggressive. If you are catching large White Bass, stay in that area. Striped Bass are likely there too,” said Como. “And don’t be surprised to catch a huge Channel Catfish or two. Catfish trail the Striped Bass to feed on injured shad, which drift deeper.”

White Bass has one tooth patch.

Striped Bass and hybrid Striped Bass have two tooth patches.

Hybrid Striped Bass(size range—12- to 28-inches)Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis

Striped Bass(size range—18- to 78-inches)Morone saxatilis

White Bass(size range—11- to 17-inches)Morone chrysops

Como fishes with two rods, often holding one and keeping the other in a rod holder.

phot

o-D

arl B

lack