Freshwater Fishing Report, August 28 Update:
Deep Creek Outfitters reported that there are still a fair mix of large and small mouth bass hitting in the lake. They’re taking soft plastics in shaded areas during the day, such as floating docks and fallen trees. But after mid-morning fishing can be difficult due to the large amount of recreation taking place and disturbing the fish. We’re hoping as we move into September, the Jet Ski traffic will lighten up, expanding fishing time. In the reservoirs farther east and south, meanwhile, hot weather has made fishing difficult and has driving the fish deep. Sets Sport Shop recommends fishing deep, and looking for cooler water to reel in your catch. Anglers targeting stripers in Lake Anna and Smith Mountain are jigging and/or trolling deep around points and drop-offs. Crappie fishing is best around bridge pilings and other deep-water structure. Successful bass anglers are starting early, or fishing the evening.
Anglers near Baltimore have also been encountering decent reservoir fishing, although again, most fish will be found deep once the sun is up. Piney Run Reservoir has been producing good crappie fishing and some bass early and late in the day. St. Mary's Lake has also seen a good crappie bite for anglers willing to make the hike, particularly around the standing timber in deep water. On the eastern shore, bass can be found hiding in the shade of lily pads in millponds and the upper reaches of most of the tributaries. Early and late in the day are the best bet.
All throughout DelMarVa, snakehead can be located where there is shallow, grassy water. Plastic frogs are a number one choice for targeting them. We heard a mix of reports this week, with Contributor Eric Packard noting that at least one day this week for whatever reason the bite in one of his favorite western shore ponds was completely MIA. We also had a report of a dearth of action from the Little Blackwater last weekend, but mid-week a couple of readers reported catching a couple.
Freshwater Fishing Report, August 21 Update:
With river and stream water levels are high after the recent rains in many areas, flyfishers have been doing excellent and enjoying a steady bite on nymphs, elk hair caddis, beetles, and wooly buggers. Brown trout have been incredibly active, and most river’s waters are holding at steady levels with clear conditions. Rain earlier this week muddied some areas, however, water clarity quickly returned to normal in most of the affected areas.
As has been the case recently, the snakehead bite has been sporadic in most locations. With lots of rain this week, we’re wondering if the fishery will get shaken up again. Although the bite is difficult to pin down right now, we know that snakehead are still hiding out in the grassy shallows of most fishable areas. We heard from readers who looked for them several western shore spots this week (the Gunpowder, Calvert County, and the upper Pax) but caught almost all bass (only two confirmed snakeheads, among them). Reports coming from Blackwater were better but also on the thin side, with most folks catching one to four or five.
In the lakes, bass fishing remains solid. The Tackle Box let us know that some large fish were pulled out of St Mary’s Lake by anglers willing to make the trek this week. (If you haven’t heard, the parking lot and boat launch are closed for construction and you have to hike through the woods to get to the lake). Throughout the region bass are still in their typical summer mode of behavior, a bit sluggish during the day but highly active during mornings and dusk. Buzzbaits and plastic frogs have been doing great, and wacky worms also remain a solid bet. Overcast days have been providing the best fishing, as the fish aren’t boiling under the water. Deep Creek, the Baltimore reservoirs, and Lake Anna are all experiencing similar trends. In those lakes where it’s allowed, night fishing is now out-performing fishing in daylight for many anglers. Yellow perch, crappie, and pickerel have also been active in the lakes, but again are slowing down and moving deep once the sun is high in the sky. Crappie are reportedly deep over structure.
Freshwater Fishing Report, August 13 Update:
Too little rain, too much rain... never just the right amount, it seems. Flyfishers have been battling waters running a bit high throughout much of our region, although fishing is still feasible. The trout bite in managed waters have been good during the opening weeks of August, with plenty of fish still available. Wooly buggers, nymphs, and caddis flies are top producers. The recent rains are likely to cause some localized issues with muddy waters, so if you arrive and find poor conditions be prepared to quickly move on.
Largemouth bass fishing remains best in the early mornings and late afternoons. They’re primarily in grassy shallows and in deeper waters with structure throughout much of the day. Fishing for them with crankbaits, topwater lures (at dawn), and wacky worms has been productive. Deep Creek Outfitters let us know that if you’re planning on fishing that lake, you have to get there early or fish into the night because boat traffic has been churning up the waters and making it difficult to fish comfortably throughout the day. Walleye and bluegill are also present in Deep Creek and fishing for both species with live minnow has been the favorite. We also had a reader check in from Lake Anna, where boat traffic was a bit less dramatic though still on the heavy side last week, and both stripers and largemouth have been sitting deep but very willing to hit jigs and spoons
Snakehead anglers were reporting a good chatterbait bite this week, with more action on the eastern side than the western side, where conditions were skunked in many locations due to all the rainfall. Anglers hitting the Blackwater via kayak reported four to six on average.
Freshwater Fishing Report, August 7 Update:
Attention FishTalk Readers: Due to the impact of the storm Isaias on our region, we want to caution that regardless of whether you fish freshwater, the Bay, or the ocean, the fishing deck has been shuffled. Much of the intel we received this week was gathered prior to the storm so we have to question its efficacy. While we did also get some info in on Wednesday evening and through Thursday, we’d note that this week our reports may not be as helpful as usual in forming effective game-plans for the weekend’s fishing.
The rain brought on by Isaias was much needed in many Western creeks, rivers, and streams. It provided a boost in flow that fly fishers will be loving in the near future, with trout abundant in management waters and enough time having passed that most waters are beginning to clear and run higher. Wooly buggers, nymph, inch-worms, and caddis flies were recommended by Tochterman’s fly fishing department.
In the bigger lakes across Delmarva and Pennsylvania, bass fishing remains so-so as anglers battle boat traffic, oppressive heat, and thunderstorms. Largemouth bass fishing is best at dusk and dawn. Deep Creek Outfitters let us know that topwater lures, poppers, and buzzbaits are the ticket to them in grassy shallows. They also mentioned that it wouldn’t hurt to get in some night fishing or get up extra early if you plan on fishing the lake, which is near impossible to fish during the day due to high traffic. Lake Anna is much of the same story, with Fish Tales suggesting anglers get an early start to the day. Hitting local ponds and smaller, less popular lakes may also be a smart move when the crowds are out and about.
Northern Snakehead fishing is good during morning and evening throughout the Chesapeake region. Going after them with imitation frogs is a solid bet. Contributor Eric Packard targeted them in a western shore beaver pond this week and found that the heavy growth made fishing very difficult, but a few snakes did take the bait as well as a couple of small largemouth. It appears that the rainfall boosted the snake action on the eastern shore, with several readers hitting the Blackwater post-storm reporting excellent catches including a couple breaking the dozen-fish mark. However, they also note that even on weekdays, with the parking restrictions closing some spots it can get crowded. Anglers headed there over the weekend should plan to arrive early or risk not getting a spot.