Bringing Back Our Rockfish
Bringing Back Our Rockfish
Each spring, adult striped bass, also known as rockfish, swim from the Atlantic Ocean and Albemarle Sound into the Roanoke River to spawn. In the Albemarle Sound population, most of these stripers remain in they sound until they mature. At this point, they join the yearly spawning migration up the Roanoke River to Weldon. It seems the striped bass prefers to spawn along the rocky rapids near the “fall line” where rivers make the transition from the hilly piedmont to the relatively flat coastal plain. Thus, Weldon’s claim to fame as “The Rockfish Capital of the World.”
While we remain proud of our town’s lure as a fishing destination, there is growing cause for concern. According to the N.C. Wildlife Commission, declines in the striped bass stock in the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound Management area over the past six years have led to increased protections for the species. In its February 9 news release, the N.C. Wildlife Commission announced a closed harvest season for striped bass in the Roanoke River Management Area in 2024.
The Wildlife Commission is working closely with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to address the declines in striped bass stock with the goal of improving the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound striped bass population. In addition to harvest restrictions, the two organizations are stocking striped bass in the river and sound, and are also looking into other factors that may be limiting striped bass survival.
For the 2024 season, beginning March 1, recreational anglers can enjoy catching and releasing striped bass throughout the spring despite no harvest season. Learn fishing techniques to aid the survival of the striped bass and more related information on the NC Wildlife Commission website.
Rockfish Facts to Know
• Striped bass are anadromous fish, meaning they spend most of their lives in saltwater but migrate to freshwater rivers to spawn.
• Each spring, adult striped bass swim from the Atlantic Ocean and Albemarle Sound into the Roanoke River to spawn.
• Most striped bass spawning begins when the water temperature reaches between 62° and 70°F.
• A 20-pound female may release as many as 2 million eggs, but usually less than 1 percent of these eggs survive to become adults.
• In the Albemarle Sound population, most of these stripers remain in they sound until they mature. At this point, they join the yearly spawning migration up the Roanoke River to Weldon!
Source: Striped_Bass071910: Layout 1 (ncwildlife.org)
Author: Bert Kittner
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Gone Fishing!
Although the poet was not named, this lovely fishing poem was published in The Roanoke News in 1901-1902. The poem was rediscovered and featured in Halifax Heritage, a booklet of historical and traditional sketches of Halifax County, which was prepared by students of Weldon High School and published by The Roanoke News in 1976 to commemorate the country’s bicentennial. The poem captures the joy of leaving ones’ “town” responsibilities and cares behind to enjoy a fishing trip on the river, a pleasure that many an angler will agree has transcended time.
A-Fishing
We leave the dusty city; afar the rivers shine.
The worm is on the wiggle, and fish is on the line
What care we for the splendors and all the joys of town.
With a ripple on the river where the cork is going down!
The breeze is blowing blossoms in showers pink and white
And all the world around you is a revel of delight.
Away with care and sighing!
No fortunes ill can frown
Where the fishing rod is nodding;
And the cork is going down!
Afar the toiling farmer dreams of the harvest yield,
Where the tender corn is wearing its green blades o’er the field.
But what we care for toiling/
We left the dusty town
For the ripple of the river where the cork is going down.