Freshwater Fishing Report, December 30 Update:
The recent arctic blast has iced over many local ponds and lakes which has made fishing difficult for our freshwater anglers. Luckily, a warmup is on the way this weekend and will likely melt the ice as we enter the new year. Reports were slim this week as many anglers found unfishable conditions due to the ice. Contributor Eric Packard tried to go to a Southern Maryland pond in the middle of the week but found hard water conditions. David @reelinwithrudow tried hitting one of the Eastern Shore ponds and found the ice thin enough to break up, but the fish too chilled to be interested in eating even after busting open a large section. Freshwater contributor Jim Gronaw has been finding similar results with many of his go-to spots iced over. Jim says that before the thaw, he got a couple nice fish using the Damiki Vault half ounce blade bait. One was a 20-inch largemouth, and the other was a 16-inch crappie that weighed two and a half pounds. He is eagerly waiting on the thaw and says that once water opens, he will target bass and crappie with blade baits and tube tail jigs. He has found that the warmest part of the day or a falling barometer produces the best bites in the winter.
Maryland and Virginia completed many trout stockings this month which should provide ample winter fishing opportunities. Information for Maryland trout stockings can be found on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website. Information for Virginia Trout Stockings can be found on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website. Make sure to check area regulations before heading out as some areas have restricted bag limits or catch and release only areas.
We heard the first report of solid ice in the up-lake coves at Deep Creek. Details are sparse but some sheltered areas were said to have six-plus inches of ice mid-week. Incoming rain and warm weather could change that fast so extreme caution would be urged for anyone attempting to get out on the ice this weekend or next week.
Pickerel fishing is also a great winter fishing opportunity. The tidal rivers and Eastern Shore millponds have plenty of pickerel that are willing to bite and although ice has many of these waterways locked up at the moment, warm weather will soon open them back up. Jerkbaits with flash, spinners, and bladed jigs all work great since these fish are attracted to shiny, bright colored baits. They will be hanging close to transition zones and structure. Fallen trees, jetty walls, rock piles, and docks all provide great structure for the pickerel to hide around as they wait to ambush bait. If you haven’t already, check out the CCA Pickerel Championship which runs until the end of February.
It has been a great year of fishing with lots of cherished memories made along the way. As we enter the new year let’s hope 2023 brings plenty of catches, new PBs, and exciting adventures.
Freshwater Fishing Report, December 23 Update:
Winter has officially started with the passing of the solstice this Wednesday, and it looks like old man winter isn’t wasting any time bringing on the season as our region is expected to get a blast of arctic air starting Friday and continuing into the weekend. Strong winds and bitter temperatures will make fishing difficult, but the good news is once conditions improve, there are a lot of fish still around to be caught. Panfish and pickerel are popular targets this time of year by freshwater anglers and both willing to hit despite the colder temperatures.
Anglers Sports Center reports that the creeks of the tidal rivers and the eastern shore mill ponds are producing a good bite for yellow perch, crappie, bluegill and pickerel. The panfish prefer to hit live minnows, small spinners, or wax worms. Contributor Eric Packard braved the chill at a local pond for two trips this past week to see if any fish would cooperate. One day he was able to catch three bass on a Silver Buddy bladebait in a couple hours. On the other day he was able to catch four bass plus some bluegill and a crappie on red wigglers. Largemouth bass will generally be holding deeper near drop offs and deeper structure. They will seek out cover and usually stay close to it. Sunken wood, bridge piers, and rocks are good places to target bass in the colder months. On warmer sunny days the bass will be more active in the afternoon and may move slightly shallower. Ned rigs and drop shot rigged soft plastics are all good choices for working deep structure. Small flat-sided crankbaits and Colorado blade spinnerbaits worked in the transition zones between deep and shallower waters. Pickerel are very active this time of year and with the CCA Pickerel Championship taking place. It is a great opportunity for anglers to get out after them. The Severn and Magothy rivers along with the mill ponds on the shore are prime locations for big winter pickerel. Jerkbaits, spinners, and bladebaits all work well for the pickerel who respond well to shiny baits. We are lucky to have a great fishery for them to keep us busy in the winter.
Santa is coming to town this weekend so let’s hope for lots of new fishing gear under the tree to try out in the new year. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from all of us at FishTalk Magazine!
Freshwater Fishing Report, December 16 Update:
The Maryland preseasons trout stocking program started last week with several large trout stockings at Deep Creek Lake, Blairs Valley Lake, Greenbrier Lake, Piney Run Reservoir, and Savage Reservoir. The delayed harvest areas of Town Creek and the Youghiogheny River were also stocked. This week, the Patapsco River and Daniels Area in Baltimore County were stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The annual stocking program is completed in three bursts, preseason from now through February 2023, and then two rounds of spring stocking, March 6–24. and April 3–28. More information regarding area regulations and stocking schedules can be found on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website. The Virginia DWR has also been completing trout stockings over the past two weeks. Rainbow, brown, brook, and tiger trout have been stocked in several locations across the state. More information for Virginia’s area regulations and stocking schedule can be found on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website.
Along with the trout, there are plenty of other species to target this time of year in our freshwater locations. Crappie are a common target species by freshwater anglers during the winter months. They are often found schooled up near deep water structure such as sunken brush, marina docks, or bridge pilings. Contributor Eric Packard reported an odd outing for crappie on the Potomac early this week, where fish were on the meter but utterly refused to bite. Back at the ramp he spoke with people who had been targeting catfish and experienced a similar bout of lockjaw without a single fish boated. It does happen… but man it is frustrating. When the crappie are willing to bite, small jigs or minnows fished under a slip bobber is a good way to fish for them. The slip bobbers great for fish suspended in deeper water as their design allows for more accurate casts while still allowing the bait to get down deep once it hits the water. Bass and other panfish will also be in deeper water this time of year and it usually takes slowing down retrieves and using subtle presentations to get them to bite.
Freshwater Fishing Report, December 9 Update:
As we approach the end of fall and start of winter, there are plenty of freshwater fishing options to keep us busy during the colder months. Largemouth bass have moved into deeper waters and will be found near drop offs and deep structure like sunken wood or rock piles. Techniques this time of year should be slow and methodical, often fishing close to bottom to entice a bite. Crankbaits, bladed jigs, and crawfish imitation baits will work well this time of year. On warmer days where the sun has brought the water temperature up slightly by the afternoon, you can find the bass more active and willing to bite. The winter is a great time of year to catch one of those bucket mouth bass, you just have to be patient and willing to endure the elements. Crappie are biting as well, with live minnow being the best bait. Most of these fish have moved deeper too, and in the larger lakes and reservoirs can often be found suspending near deep-water structure like bridge pilings.
Anglers Sports Center reported that the pickerel and panfish bite is great right now. The pickerel are consistently willing to bite in the tidal rivers and creeks. The Severn and Magothy have the highest concentrations of pickerel in tidal waters on the western shore and are known for their great winter time fisheries. The Eastern Shore millponds are another great place to target the pickerel and every year we see citation sized fish come out of those areas. In clear water scenarios, dark natural colored baits will be your best bet. Using bladed jigs to create vibrations in the water also increases your chance for bites. In clearer waters, bright colored baits and spinners work great to get the pickerels attention. Live minnows under a bobber work well just about all the time and should be fished near structure. Angler’s employees have also been catching plenty of panfish like white perch, yellow perch, crappie, and bluegill in tidal creeks and ponds around our region. They recommend using small feather jigs fished under a bobber for pan fish and put out this video on everything you need to know about targeting them.
Preseason trout stocking is on in Maryland and multiple areas had fish put in the water this week, some with delayed harvest and some not. Check the Maryland trout stocking map for details. Virginia also has stocking in progress including some urban areas; the Virginia DWR stocking page details where and when.
Freshwater Fishing Report, December 1 Update:
Fishing at our regions lakes this past week has been particularly good despite breezy conditions. Deep Creek Lake in particular is producing plenty of action, and this time of year you won't have to worry about constant boat traffic to interrupt your fishing trip. Walleye are becoming more active and moving into shallower areas along rocky shorelines. Jerkbaits and crankbaits will be the best lures to throw for them but casting out live minnows on a drop shot works especially well. The steep rocky shorelines near the bridges on the lake are good areas to try for the walleye. Northern pike and chain pickerel are cruising around at the mouths of coves on the lake and are eager to bite any lure with some shine to it. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are holding in deeper water structure by now. Crankbaits, tube jigs, and crawfish baits are good options for getting down deep to where the fish are hanging. These patterns should be present at the other large lakes and reservoirs in our region.
Freshwater Correspondent Jim Gronaw got out for a recent trip during an incoming cold front with 25-mph winds, and was surprised to catch around a dozen largemouth bass on Damiki Vault blade baits and a #5 Mepps spinner. He fished these baits just over the tops of weed beds catching bass between one and a half to three pounds. Water temperatures ranged between 46 to 48 degrees and all fish were caught in three feet of water or less. Jim wanted to mention that some of his largest bass catches over the past few seasons have come on either a blade bait, Mepps, or slow rolled spinnerbait in sun-warmed shallows during mild days in December, January, or February. Anglers can enjoy some very nice largemouth bass catches during the winter months if you are willing to work a little harder and endure some tough conditions.
Blue catfish and channel catfish are present in basically all of the tidal rivers and aren’t too picky about when they want to bite. Almost any kind of cut bait will work but fresh menhaden or chicken liver seem to be their favorite. The Potomac, Patuxent, Choptank, Chester, and Nanticoke rivers all have healthy populations of catfish as well as some giant blue cats for anglers to try their hand at catching.