Freshwater Fishing Report, October 25 Update:
As temperatures are cooling off, many of our freshwater fishing locations are becoming less crowded. This also bodes well because many of our freshwater species are active and feeding on most days right now. A reader fishing Deep Creek Lake said it was difficult and took a long time to locate fish, but once they did, the bite was strong. Nice crappie were suspending 15’ to 20’ down near bridge pilings, in 40’ of water. Now that the summer crowds are gone there are a lot more reliable fishing opportunities at Deep Creek and any remaining floating docks or shoreline structure will attract both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Popular lures will include crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits. Northern pike can be found around the lake at the various coves. These fish are ambush predators and will often hang out near drop offs or grass beds looking to feed on smaller fish. Walleye are also prevalent in the lake and can be found in deeper water, lake points, and near the bridges at the lake. Similar patterns are shaping up at the central Maryland reservoirs which are popular destinations to fish for largemouth bass, landlocked stripers, and crappie.
Trout stockings are still underway this week and a few locations in southern Maryland finally received their first stocking of the fall. Most of the counties in the southern, central, and western regions of the state have received at least some trout stockings in October meaning that there is an abundance of freshwater fishing opportunities. Virginia has also been busy carrying out their stockings across the state. Stocked trout and wild trout fishing opportunities will be popular throughout the fall. Anglers should visit the Maryland DNR trout stocking website and the Virginia DWR trout stocking website for the most up to date information regarding trout stockings in their area. We also checked in with Mossy Creek Fly Fishing for the latest from out west. They reported that the mountain trout streams are fishing well with dry droppers producing some fish, but most fish are being caught on nymphs. Attractor nymphs or multi nymph rigs under a strike indicator will produce the most fish given the current conditions. They also said that smaller sized jig streamers, sculpin patterns, crayfish flies, and dry dropper rigs should get some attention. Most places in Maryland and Virginia have not seen rainfall in nearly a month which means water conditions are low and clear. Now is an excellent time to fish before the creeks, rivers, and streams get choked out by leaves.
Captain Kayla Haile of River Queen Guide Service says that the smallmouth bite on the lower Susquehanna is heating up. White glidebaits have been working well to entice bigger fish to bite. Up the river on the North Branch of the Susquehanna, smallmouth anglers are also reporting a good bite with the cooling water temperatures. A group fishing north of Harrisburg said they had an excellent day earlier in the week catching close to 30 smallies on a variety of baits. Topwater lures were still working well even with water temperatures dropping into the 50s. Jerkbaits, soft plastic flukes, and helgramites also worked very well.
Freshwater Fishing Report, October 18 Update:
Trout stockings are creating a plethora of recreational angling opportunities for freshwater anglers this week. Maryland and Virginia stocking crews have been hard at work to get lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds stocked with hatchery raised trout. As of Thursday, Maryland trout stockings have occurred in western and central regions of the state. Southern Maryland anglers should keep checking the stocking schedule, because their fish should be delivered soon. Make sure to visit the Maryland DNR trout stocking website and the Virginia DWR trout stocking website for the most up to date information.
Up in the Virginia Mountains, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing reports that anglers should load heavy on nymphs, indicators, and split shot right now for the best action. The cold weather and pressure change will most likely make slow deep presentations the most effective. Their shop also mentioned that tricos are still hatching, but are beginning to thin. Hoppers, ants, and beetles will also take a hit this week with the first few frosts. Trout feeding habits will focus more on baitfish, crayfish, and other macro-invertebrates as we progress later into the fall season.
FishTalk contributor Eric Packard hit some southern Maryland ponds this week and reported steady catching on largemouth bass. Packard mentioned that water levels are low in many places, but the fish are active and biting thanks to the fall temperatures. One morning of fishing produced 11 largemouth bass while throwing a shaky head jig, bladebait, and chatterbait. Another trip to a different pond produced three largemouth bass on similar tackle. The larger reservoirs in Maryland are fishing well right now. Triadelphia and Liberty Reservoir both have populations of land locked stripers that would be a good target for anglers right now. The fish should be pushing into the shallows to feed on baitfish in preparation for the colder months ahead. A popular tactic is to slow-troll with deep running crankbaits and jerkbaits along deep edges from kayaks or canoes. Prettyboy Reservoir is known for its good smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing and anglers have been finding good success this week. The fish are being caught near structure in the shallows and in transition zones where ledges and drop offs are.
Freshwater Fishing Report, October 11 Update:
The big news this week is that fall trout stockings have officially begun in Maryland. Stocking crews have been busy getting fish into various bodies of water and so far, trout have been stocked in Garrett, Allegany, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, and Washington counties. Fish should continue to get stocked in central and southern Maryland over the next few weeks. Not all of the locations have the same regulations, so make sure to check and see which regs apply to your body of water. Virginia has also been busy stocking trout in many of their counties. If you are interested in trout fishing this fall, you can find information on the Virginia DWR trout stocking website and the Maryland DNR trout stocking website. We also checked in with Mossy Creek Fly Fishing who let us know that most of the brook trout streams are up and running full. Dry droppers, big nymphs, and small streamers are all in play for the brookies. They also mentioned that the spring creeks are full, and streamer fishing has been great. This should be the beginning of a great fall full of trout fishing opportunities.
Cooler temperatures have slowed down the snakehead bite some, but enthusiasts shouldn’t put away their rods for the season just yet. Cooler nights have the fish more lethargic, but a few consecutive warm days can turn the bite right back on. The key this time of year is to slow down your retrieve and take extra time to work areas where you think snakeheads may be hanging out. Sub-surface lures will also start to become more productive over topwater lures. Weedless swimbaits, chatterbaits, and spinner will be great options to throw along edges of vegetation and in coves. This will also be effective for largemouth bass and both fish coincide in many habitats throughout our region. FishTalk Contributor Adam Greenberg says the last time he visited the Potomac to fish for smallmouth the water was still roaring and turbid, but by this weekend things should have settled down a bit. October and November are usually prime smallmouth months and if water conditions improve, anglers can expect there to be a hot bite in the coming weeks. Topwater poppers will work well along with tube jigs and creature baits. Contributor Eric Packard hit a local pond this week and reported that some nice bass were biting and crappie were happy to strike, as well. Fishing blade-baits from the shoreline did the trick.
Freshwater Fishing Report, October 4 Update:
October has arrived and is usually the start of the transition from warm weather to cooler fall temperatures. We had a good report on solid smallmouth action on the Potomac last weekend prior to the most recent rains with Ned rigs doing the trick, but FishTalk Contributor Adam Greenberg hit the river after the precip fell and said the water was stained, had cooled off noticeably, and during a short afternoon trip he only had two bites. We are finally getting a break from the rain, but it may still take a few days for river conditions around the region to clean up. Trout anglers are getting excited as cooler weather and more precipitation should bring better conditions for chasing a freshwater favorite. Maryland DNR should begin their trout stocking operations this month and Virginia DWR has already begun their trout stocking operations for the fall. Locations throughout each state will be stocked and will provide ample opportunities for anglers to participate in put and take fishing. Make sure to check the Maryland trout stocking website and the Virginia trout stocking website for regulations and the latest updates on stocking efforts.
Largemouth bass are feeding more consistently throughout the day as temperatures are cooling. Vegetation in many of our waterways have yet to start dying off, so these fish can still be found hanging close to these areas. Other submerged structure such as fallen trees or rock piles are good places to make a cast too. Topwater lures have a good chance of getting aggressive bites in the low light hours. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and weedless soft plastic baits are other top choices for the beginning of fall.
Pickerel fishing is starting to pick up as water temperatures are cooling off. These fish tend to be more active in the colder months and can be found in many of the upper bay tributaries, in our reservoirs, many lakes, and in the Eastern Shore mill ponds. Pickerel are ambush predators and prefer to go after baitfish, so shiny lures work well to get their attention. Spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, and chatterbaits are a few tried and true lures that are great to have in your arsenal when going after these fish. Fishing for them with live minnows under a bobber is another very popular way to target them. Just make sure your leader is strong enough to withstand their sharp teeth.