By: Sam Homan

When going fishing, a person usually expects to make a trip out to the wilderness and be surrounded by trees and wildlife. However, this isn’t always the case. Recent reports of fishing at the Penn State Altoona reflecting pond are becoming more common. The fish being caught are the highly sought after game fish, the largemouth bass.

Bass are highly predatory and territorial fish that often ambush their prey from below. Bass feed on smaller fish, frogs, insects, and even ducklings. Could the environment of the Penn State Altoona reflecting pond harbor a stable population of these game fish?

Carolyn Mahan, a professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, is skeptical. In an interview with the Collegiate Review, Prof. Mahan said, “It is possible, but probably not long term. ” Her reasoning for this claim is a combination of low water level, poor quality of water, and low oxygen levels in the warmer months. Without a recent study done on the pond, Prof. Mahan can’t confirm that these fish do exist, but she said that if they did, there are other smaller fish in the pond, perhaps a food source for the bass.

Nathan Kerr of Altoona, a local fisherman, said he can confirm the existence of the bass in the pond. Kerr claims that he has caught several large fish. Kerr, also interviewed by the Collegiate Review said that he had “heard rumors of [catching bass in the reflecting pond] but couldn’t believe it until he saw for himself.” When asked what the fish were caught on, Kerr said he used “fake worms, but a buddy caught them on a top-water duckling lure.” This helps to show what the fish might be feeding on.

Kerr said he’s aware that University Police prohibit any fishing in the reflecting pond, apparently because of there’s a danger from fishing hooks. Also, some fisherman have allegedly left trash behind. Kerr said he was stopped two times by policemen and they “kindly” asked him to leave. 

    Without a study done on the pond, there is no way to be sure that there is a stable population of bass that is reproducing, according to Prof. Mahan. However, due to the prohibition of fishing in the reflecting pond, there will be no whipping out the fishing rod in between classes for students.