Smith Mountain Lake's striped bass is on the comeback, after a parasite once threatened its existence.

Biologist Dan Wilson of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries reports that the lakes striped bass are much healthier now than five years ago.

That's when an infestation of parasites caused a large fish kill that came close to depleting the striper population.

Wilson says the catch rate for striped bass is the highest its been since 2003.

While Wilson said the parasites are still at the lake, he says the fish are now in a healthier state to fight against them.

A 2006 catch-and-release regulation has helped the species rebound.