Electroshocking samples of Falls of the Neuse conducted in 2009, 2011 and 2013 indicate the lake has a balanced bass fishery with an appropriate mix of age classes, including an ample number of trophy bass.
The catch and growth rates at Falls compare favorably to those at Shearon Harris Reservoir, one of the state’s premier bass lakes.
The 2013 sample revealed that 65 percent of bass collected were longer than the minimum size limit of 14 inches, and 10 percent of the fish were longer than 20 inches. Most fish obtain the minimum size limit in 3 years and exceed 16 inches in 4. Of fish collected, 25 percent were 5 years or older.
In 3 years of sampling, trophy bass remain similar in size, with a length of more than 23 inches and a weight of about 7 pounds.
The samplings show bass are reproducing successfully and that the lake has sufficient forage to keep the fish fat and healthy.
The current 14-inch minimum size limit and 5-fish creel limit, two of which could be less than 14 inches, appears more than adequate to maintain a balanced and healthy fishery.
“Falls Lake supports an excellent largemouth bass fishery,” said fisheries biologist Kirk Rundle of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “The largemouth bass in the lake appear to be balanced, with ample proportions of juvenile and adult fish, and the lake has relative high densities of quality size largemouth bass with good relative weights.”
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