Freshwater Fishing Reports

Freshwater Fishing Report, November 27 Update:

Several reports of solid pickerel action have come in from around the dial, with the upper Western Shore rivers and creeks and the Eastern Shore millponds both mentioned as producing action. A reader mentioned that fish in the Magothy were active but also concentrated in certain spots, so keeping on the move until you located fish was important. He noted that after figuring out where they were clustered it was possible to catch 20-plus. Another reader said the fish in the Baltimore-area creeks were hitting jerkbaits, but on one day last weekend followed them to the boat then turned away more often than they actually took the lure. In the millponds, one reader reported catching a half-dozen to 11 on several trips, including several citation-sized fish. But he did also note that the bass action had begun to slack off with the cooling temperatures. A reader timed the brief warm-up with a shot at snakeheads on the Blackwater and said they were out and moving, and although they ignored his chatterbaits and swimbaits, an angler there fishing minnows under a bobber had a 32" dragon in the box.

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing reports that the mountain streams are still looking pitiful due to the lack of rainfall in the region. It will be a waiting game for the brookies until we get a rise in water levels. Virginia DWR stocking crews have been out getting fish into several areas, and Mossy Creek mentioned that areas of interest should be Jackson Special Reg, Bullpasture, Elkhorn Lake, South River, and North Fork Shenandoah. The Jackson tailwater and spring creeks have been the best producers, and that trend will likely continue until we get some major rain. In Maryland, the fall stockings wrapped up a few weeks ago, but some of the larger lakes should still have trout that anglers can catch. The larger lakes and reservoirs in the region will be prime locations for cold weather bass and crappie fishing. Crappie are generally schooling in depths of 15’ to 25’ where they can be caught with panfish jigs and minnows. Bass will be moving to deeper structure as the cold weather moves in. Deep diving crankbaits, jigs, and swimbaits should be in your arsenal when casting for them this time of year.

Freshwater Fishing Report, November 20 Update:

Pickerel have kicked into high gear with the cooling temps, and we had three reader reports of solid action in Eastern Shore Millponds. Jerkbaits and chatterbaits were mentioned as effective, and one reader noted that the bulk of the fish he caught (including a 25-incher) were clustered around structure in the deeper center sections of the pond. FishTalk’s own Zach Ditmars checked in a mega-pickerel from the Eastern Shore last weekend, stretching the tape beyond the 26” mark. Anglers who plan to pickerel fish this winter should consider signing up for CCA Maryland’s Pickerel Championship. The contest is open now and runs through the end of February 2026. This is a catch and release tournament where you can compete against other anglers for great prizes and bragging rights!

FishTalk contributor Adam Greenberg checked in after spending a few days fishing the waters of the Pocomoke River around Snow Hill. Adam said the bite was slow but productive. They caught a dozen largemouth bass on spinnerbaits and micro jigs. The bass were relating very closely to wood structure and dying lily pads. They also caught around 20 crappie on minnows and micro jigs. The crappie were in depths of 10’ to 15’, spread around the channel edges of the river and not schooled up. They also caught a few blue catfish, yellow perch, and pickerel on minnows. Two of the pickerel were caught on spinnerbaits close to shallow water woody cover. The various lakes and reservoirs in Maryland and Virginia can be productive locations to fish in the colder months. Crappie can be found in the central Maryland reservoirs, Deep Creek Lake, Lake Anna, Smith Mountain Lake, St. Mary’s Lake, and several other places. They tend to school up around deep water cover such as stump fields and rocky ledges. Live minnows and micro jigs are very effective at catching them.

Freshwater Fishing Report, November 13 Update:

Multiple readers let us know that the upriver blue cat bite was on last week in several different tributaries, including the Mattaponi near West Point, King’s Landing on the Pax, Nanjemoy Creek, and the Potomac, fishing from National Colonial Farm and around the Hains Point. Cut mud shad and chicken were noted as effective baits, and one reader mentioned that Carolina rigs did the trick. On the trout front, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing let us know that most of the trees have dropped their leaves in their areas, so the waters should start to clean up. They recommend grabbing plenty of nymphs, streamers, and 'junk food' flies, like worms and eggs, for the stocked waters. The spring creeks and Jackson tailwater are also continuing to provide some action. Bass and musky anglers fishing the rivers have had a challenging time this week with the wind, but the conditions are forecast to improve soon.  

We heard that the Eastern Shore millponds are producing bites from various species with the cooling weather, and a reader checked in after catching a couple of pickerel, four bass, and a yellow perch, all on an orange chatterbait. Some time spent casting in Tuckahoe Creek was productive, too, mostly for bass but also some yellow perch, throwing a four-inch orange underspin and a 2.5” Gulp! Minnow on a 1/16th ounce jighead. Contributor Eric Packard reports a good bite in Western Shore ponds, too, with a dozen bass plus a crappie hitting a silver blade-bait. Adam Greenberg checked in after fishing Smithville Lake, where he said the bite was on the slow side, but they caught around 10 bass and three pickerel on paddletails and glidebaits. The crappie bite has really picked up with the colder weather, and we are getting reports from some of the larger lakes and reservoirs. One angler fishing on Lake Anna reported that the crappie bite on the north end of the lake is on. Earlier this week, they caught over 100 while using artificial lures. Now is a great time of year to find these fish schooled up ready to feed.

Freshwater Fishing Report, November 7 Update:

Temperatures are dropping, and it officially feels like trout season, especially in the western zones where temperatures have fallen below freezing at times. Mossy Creek Fly Fishing reports that the mountain brook trout are still spawning, so anglers should leave them be for the time being. They mentioned that the larger stocked waters have better flows and that Passage, Rapidan, Rose, Robinson, and east slope park streams are moving again. Anglers can expect them to be low and clear but have some flow for another week or so. Mossy Creek recommends anglers look for blue wing olive hatches in the afternoon hours and rising fish throughout the winter months for some fun sight fishing opportunities. Largemouth bass are transitioning to wood and other hard cover now that aquatic grasses have mostly died off for the year. Anglers fishing lakes, ponds, and rivers should seek out fallen trees, brush piles, rock piles, and other cover. Crankbaits, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits are excellent fall lures to throw for bass.

A reader hitting the Eastern Shore millponds reported a great bite recently, including a 20” largemouth and a citation-sized pickerel. A Z-Man chatterbait with a 4” paddletail trailer was the hot bait. He also noted good afternoon snakehead action off the Blackwater, casting swimbaits with underspins. Another reader fishing at a central Maryland pond reported that the lily pads are dying off, and the pickerel are very aggressive. They caught several fish between 16” and 18” while throwing spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. The annual Pickerel Championship hosted by Maryland CCA has also kicked off, so anglers should start logging their catches if they want a chance at some great prizes and bragging rights. The tournament runs through February 2026, so there is plenty of time to climb the leaderboards. The mill ponds around the Salisbury area of the lower Eastern Shore are known for producing big pickerel. Other notable pickerel locations include St. Mary’s Lake, Severn River, Magothy River, and Pocomoke River.