Why Are The Spot So Small This Year?

Type: Chesapeake
Region:
Location: Chesapeake Bay

My father and his friends go fishing for spots in the Chesapeake Bay area, about 8 miles out. He tells me this year the spots are small so they throw them back. He has gone several times this year, do you know why they are running so small this year?

DNR Response: Spot are a short lived, fast growing species with most keeper size spot being 1 to 3 years old (mostly 1 and 2). We had a very poor year class last year, so there are very few 1 year old fish. On the contrary the year class this year (fish hatched late fall early winter) appears to be strong. These are the small fish thare are being caught this year. If survival to age one is decent we should see an increase in keepers next year.

Tags: spot