Counts of smallmouth black bass nests in the same sections of the South Branch of the Potomac, the Cacapon, and the Shenandoah Rivers are reported over a period of several seasons. The 4‐year record for the South Branch of the Potomac indicates little change in the smallmouth black bass population. The number of nests varied between 50.7 and 73.2 and averaged 58.1 for each mile of stream. The results of fry counts from wild nests showed an average of 2,159 fry in each nest in the South Branch of the Potomac, 2,210 in the Cacapon River, and 1,998 in the Shenandoah River.
One important characteristic of natural propagation in these rivers is the simultaneous occurrence of spawning in any section of stream having similar conditions. Evidence is supplied to support the theory that a long, drawn‐out spawning season in artificial ponds is due to annoyance of the brood fish. The importance of attendance by the male fish at the nest is pointed out.
Examples in pond culture are given to demonstrate that there are other factors involved in the spawning of smallmouth black bass besides temperature. These factors are annoyance, over‐crowding of the brood fish, and lack of provision for greater individual privacy among the brood bass during their spawning season. In general, productivity of fry apparently increases with age and size of the brood fish.
