D. A. Garren, J. J. Ney and S. L. McMullin, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 100 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24060-0321

Abstract. Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui congregate in the headwaters of Lake Moomaw, a 1024-ha flood-control reservoir, during the spring spawning period, where they are vulnerable to a shore-based, harvest-oriented fishery. We estimated the headwaters bass harvest in 1995-96 by creel survey, then used tagging and telemetry to assess the significance of the harvest to the whole-lake bass population. Electrofishing surveys of juvenile bass distribution were conducted to examine impacts on recruitment. The headwaters fishery accounted for 17% of the annual smallmouth bass harvest in lake Moomaw; the combined annual harvest removed only 12% of the adult population. Bass spawning occurred throughout the lake. The headwaters fishery is a high-profile activity which, during 1995-96, had a low and sustainable impact on the Lake Moomaw smallmouth bass population.