Way North & DE Fishing Report Update 2/23/2018:
The yellow perch run seems to have started over the past few weeks, allowing the waters of the Chesapeake to come alive again. Captain Bones Bait & Tackle has had a number of guys come in off the Nanticoke, where large yellow perch have been abundant. This week, they received two citations out of Broad Creek in Laurel, both for yellow perch weighing in between a pound and a half and two pounds. Broad Creek is located right off the Nanticoke, where white perch and small rock have also been present. The Hawks Nest and Riverton, on the Maryland side of the Nanticoke, have been hotspots for all three species which have primarily been taking blood worms and small minnow.
The Susquehanna and the northernmost sections of the Bay took a bit of a pounding earlier this week, with big discharges from Conowingo releasing muddy water and debris. As a result we don't have any reports of fish being caught here recently. If you're launching a boat in these areas this weekend, keep a sharp lookout and be prepared to dodge logs.
For freshwater fisherman up north in our zone, muskie, crappie, and bluegill have become active in the lakes. B & B Tackle recommended heading to Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park, where there has been a great crappie run plus some larger species also caught (check out the Freshwater Report, for the entire scoop). It's also worth nothing that this week, the DNR stocked Fountain Rock Park Pond in Fredrick County with 200 golden and rainbow trout, and Frank Bentz Pond with 200 rainbow trout.
Way North & DE Fishing Report Update 2/15/2018:
Although the past week has been rainy, anglers who don't mind getting a little wet took the opportunity to get out on the water during the warm weather. Joe Yack at Sarge's Bait and Tackle reported that yellow perch fishing has been hot for the past week in tidal rivers and creeks. He went out this week and caught several fish between the 10 and 15 inch mark. Little shad darts in orange, green, and yellow have been producing some good results, as well as using minnow. Herb's has had reports of crappie and channel catfish hanging around in deeper water and along channel edges. Catfish, as always, have been taking chunks of cut bait, while crappie are mixed in with the perch catch.
Way North & DE Fishing Report Update 2/8/2018:
Aside from the past few days of rain, anglers have been enjoying fair conditions to be out on the water – a nice change from the past month. Many took the opportunity to head out onto the Nanticoke, and found that yellow perch, crappie, and even some rockfish have been hiding in its depths. Taylor’s Tackle had a few solid reports of fish and killer weigh-ins, most notably a one pound, 4.5 ounce yellow perch, that was a foot long. The fish was caught on a shad dart with a white tail and chartreuse head. They also had two other reports of yellow perch of notable size, each over a pound. White perch are in the Nanticoke as well, however it was reported that using bloodworm, which are typically a favorite bait, is not working. The water is so cold that it seems to drain the blood from the worm and the white perch completely lose interest. Using grass shrimp to target them is the best alternative.
Crappie are still up-river in the Nanticoke as well, and are still primarily taking little jigs, the same that you'd use for yellow perch. Taylors reported that a few rockfish up to 22 inches have been caught as well, however they did not have info on what they were caught on. (And, of course, it’s also worth noting that rockfish are out of season). The “Hawks Nest,” near the Delaware-Maryland line, has been a hotspot.
February 2018 Way North & DE Fishing Report Update:
Although the weather has been grey and dreary this month, we have a little bright bright news coming from Herb's, as they're reporting that some crappie have been caught around the spillways, the best report of action we've been able to bring you since early in the January Way North fishing report. Most of the local rivers and lakes have broken free of the icy grip the deep freeze had on our waters, opening up new areas for those brave enough to venture out on boats and explore the possible bites. There are also occasional reports of fish being caught in the Delaware spillways. Although the fishing hasn't been hot by any means, if you're anything like us here at FishTalk, getting out on the water is just enough to satisfy the constant craving to be catching fish (NOT!) Although there have been sporadic mentions of perch at Perryville, that really hasn't kicked into gear yet either but some killer yellow perch fishing should begin in the next few weeks as they begin their spawning season and become more active. Meanwhile, if you want to bend a rod your best bets are to check out the Freshwater Fishing Report and the Coastal Fishing Report. Both have some options that may require a bit of travel, but do offer a good shot at catching some fish in the next week.
