5/26/2017 Update:
Largemouth bass are in post-spawn feeding mode throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, ranging from lakes and ponds to upper Chesapeake tributaries to eastern shore millponds. Topwater lures, plastics, and buzz baits will all do the trick. Smallmouth had been in full swing, too, especially in the Shenandoah, but the recent rain will probably put a damper on the fishing in many area rivers. In fact, fly anglers have already been reporting high water levels due to rain this week, which has made fishing mountain streams tricky.
So far rising waters haven’t been enough to deter out region’s newest star, the snakehead, with banner catches being reported from the Eastern Shore (see the Lower Bay report) to the western shore tributaries and especially the Potomac. Largemouth are also active in the Potomac, particularly around the grass-beds in areas like Washington Channel, but the recent rains could have an impact on this bite. Blue cats, however, should continue eating just about any cut bait you sink down to the bottom north of the Francis Scott Key bridge.
Trout have been stocked just about everywhere at this point, and the hatchery fish will readily take Powerbait fished on a bare hook and weighted with a small split-shot.
Southern Maryland anglers should check out the feature article on St. Mary’s Lake in this month’s edition of FishTalk. Crappie and bass are both in full-on feeding mode at St. Mary’s right now, and the rain shouldn’t have too much impact on water quality here.
In Lake Anna reports are great for bass especially at dawn and dusk on topwater, but are still iffy for stripers. The best bet for crappie anglers is to fish small minnow right up against bridge pilings and relatively deep structure.
5/19/2017 Update:
Freshwater fishing is beginning to pick up in a big way, with warmer water temperatures producing more active fish. Largemouth bass are coming into season, many hitting topwater lures in shallow water. But because the water is still just a little chilly for bass, many are hiding in grass beds until the water temperature rises. Eastern shore ponds from Delaware down through Maryland have all seen a good bite, and bass fishing in the upper tributaries has also picked up quite a bit.
Snakeheads continue to chew on topwater lures (try a plastic frog) cast in the upper reaches of Eastern shore tributaries, too. Blackwater is particularly hot at the moment, as are some of the Western shore tributaries like the Patuxent north of the 214 bridge, and middle-Potomac creeks like Mattawoman. The snakeheads will also eat live minnow and have recently been caught on bloodworm, as well. Farther up the Potomac near the nation's capitol, while the shad are done, big blue catfish continue to inhale cut baits and chicken livers set in deep holes. Bass are also biting, mostly around grass beds.
Off to our west, fishing in Deep Creek Lake has picked up, with anglers catching bass, walleye, yellow perch, and rainbow trout. Many are being caught on small minnow and imitation soft plastics. Crappie and bluegill have been hiding around fallen structure and are also abundant, and are biting on small minnow as well.
Smallmouth fishing is now in full swing in the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, with very large numbers of fish being caught. Rebel Wee Craws are a hot lure, and the smallies are also hitting tube jigs and streamer flies.
Lake Anna anglers are targeting bass and picking up a few stripers along with them, though crappie fishing around the bridge pilings and wood structures is the best bet if you want to take home a fish dinner. Minnow fished on a marabou jig, and small two-inch red/white tube jigs, are top choices.
5/12/2017 Update:
Thanks to high water flows, fishing in many of the area rivers was more or less shut down this week. The upper Potomac and the area around Fletcher's has been difficult to fish. Catfish remain an option, but snakeheads seem to be the most abundant species still willing to bite at this point, eating a wide variety of baits. Creeks off the Potomac and the upper Patuxent River have both produced plenty of these fish, strangely enough, often on worms.
In many of the Maryland and Delaware lakes and ponds the largemouth bass spawn is about complete. As these fish wrap up the spawning season expect them to feed aggressively, and since water temperatures have't gone too high yet, they should be more than willing to smash topwater in the shallows and slurp up plastic worms.
Catfish have been biting in the Rhappahannock, and are taking night crawlers and eels, according to Ken`s Bait and Tackle. Fishing has been poor the past week due to high winds and dirty water, but still crappie are biting in Lake Anna on minnows and artificial baits.
5/5/2017
Up near Baltimore the Loch Raven Fishing Center is now open, so canoe and boat rentals are available over the weekend (call 410-887-7692 for information) and freshwater angling opportunities just expanded in this neck of the woods. Bass fishing has been good, too, with largemouth hitting plastic worms (try a Wacky rig) near cove mouths and points. Another sure-fire way to catch bass right now will be using the KISS Bass Fishing Technique. Beginners should check this out, it's not only incredibly easy to learn but also highly effective.
On the eastern shore, from Delaware clear down to Virginia, bass are now quite active in the millponds and lakes. Crappie are still biting but the spring rush seems to have slowed just a bit, and crappie are also still active in the upper eastern shore tidal rivers. Try suspending a minnow under a bobber for the best results.
Anglers headed west to Deep Creek have found a good walleye bite, particularly around rocky drop-offs and points. Large shiners are the most reliable bait.
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing has reported good fishing in mountain streams and spring creeks. Waters in the Shenandoah and James Rivers are clear and at a good level due to recent rain, proving great conditions for small mouth bass fishing. Bass have been biting artificial crayfish and baitfish flies. Local anglers have had success with dry fly action targeting trout, and are using Caddis and Super Dupers in Owings Creek and Rainbow Lake.
