7/28/2017 Freshwater Fishing Update:
From Delaware down through Maryland and across Virginia, all the reports mirror one thing: it's too hot! That said, everyone expects the predicted weekend torrents and the accompanying cool-down to really shake things up. Deep Creek Outfitters has seen a drastic drop off in bass fishing as water has warmed up and gotten hot over the past week. Most of the fish have moved into deeper water or clung tight to the bottom near structure; those bass that are hitting will take plastic worms and sometimes poppers fished very early or late in the day.
The eastern shore millponds have entered a summer funk, with many of the fish exhibiting lockjaw once the sun is up. Fishing in the upper reaches of the tributaries, including the Blackwater in Maryland and the Nanticoke in Delaware, is a slightly better option for bass anglers. Be sure to cast plastic frogs around lily pads, to wake up the snakeheads in the area (which aren't quite as sensitive to the heat).
To our west there's still decent bass fishing in the upper Potomac, Pamunkey, and Rappahannock rivers. The best success comes early or late in the day, for anglers casting spinnerbaits and topwater and then switching to plastic worms once the sun is blazing. Smallmouth anglers and trout fishermen have seen a slow-down recently, with the best fishing coming in shaded areas and deep holes filled with cool water. Again, the weekend weather is sure to have a huge effect on what we see happen next week.
7/21/2017 Freshwater Fishing Update:
Deep Creek Outfitters reports a fair mix of large and small mouth bass in the lake. They’re taking soft plastics in shaded areas during the day, such as floating docks and fallen trees. But after mid-morning fishing can be difficult due to the large amount of recreation taking place and disturbing the fish. In the reservoirs farther east and south, meanwhile, hot weather has made fishing difficult and has driving the fish deep. Harry at Sets Sport Shop recommends fishing deep, and looking for cooler water to reel in your catch. We heard the same recommendation over and over, including from anglers hitting the Virginia reservoirs. Anglers targeting stripers in Buggs Island, Lake Anna, and Smith Mountain are jigging and/or trolling deep around points and drop-offs. Crappie fishing is best around bridge pilings and other deep-water structure. Successful bass anglers are starting early, or fishing the evening.
Anglers near Baltimore have also been encountering decent reservoir fishing, although again, most fish will be found deep once the sun is up. Piney Run Reservoir has been producing good crappie fishing and some bass early and late in the day. St. Mary's Lake has also seen a good crappie bite, particularly around the standing timber in deep water. Vertically jigging two-inch tube jigs (try red/white and white tubes) and shad darts tipped with minnow top the list for the crappie.
In the Potomac bass fishing is best before the sun climbs into the sky, and successful anglers have been casting spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and plastic frogs. Tossing frogs also produces some snakeheads. Anglers fishing in the channel and deeper holes near the nation's capitol on down to Indian Head are encountering plenty of blue catfish. Cut shad or bunker are good bets for the blue cats. Smallmouth areas farther west including the upper James, upper Rappahannock, and the Shenandoah are running clear and producing good fishing.
On the eastern shore, bass can be found hiding in the shade of lily pads in both millponds and the upper reaches of most of the tributaries. Early and late in the day are the best bet.
7/14/2017 Freshwater Fishing Update:
FishTalk contributor Jim Gronaw checked in to let us know that in southern Pennsylvania, both Marburg and Long Arm lakes are still producing some largemouth bass early in the mornings, on plastics fished along deeper weed edges and in shades shorelines. Largemouth are the name of the game at Liberty, too, with some bigger fish popping up here and there. Marburg white perch are also still biting on trolled nightcrawler rigs from 18 to 28 feet deep. At Piney Run Lake bluegill and crappie are a better bet. Bluegills up to ten inches long and crappie up to 12 inches have been reported, with the best catches coming from the edges of the weeds down to 10 feet or so.
All along the DelMarVa peninsula reports for the millponds remain fairly slow, with fish in full-on summer mode. Again, fishing early and late is often key now that water temperatures are extremely high. Once the sun is up look for shade; pulling plastic frogs and other weedless lures through lily-pads has been the best mid-day move, lately. Bass anglers should also be sure to check the Way North Chesapeake and Delaware reports this week, as largemouth in the upper reaches of the bay are out-producing most of the freshwater lakes and ponds at the moment.
Deep Creek Outfitters reports a strong bass bite out in western Maryland. Most bass are hitting topwater lures in the shallows and around structure, however some fish are in deeper water. The occasional pickerel is being caught, as well as bluegill. Most fish are being caught in low light conditions, giving anglers an opportunity to get out of the sun. Try fishing very early and very late in the day, or when there's heavy cloud cover, for the best results.
Other options for anglers in the western part of our region include a good bite for smallmouth in the Shenandoah, with Rebel Wee crawfish crankbaits producing well. Anglers in the upper James and Potomac are catching bass on plastics, and blue catfish in the channels on cut bait. Water levels have been varying a bit from spot to spot due to localized rainfall the past week that was heavy in some places, but for the most part the rivers are running pretty clean right now throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
7/8/2017 Freshwater Fishing Update:
In the northern areas of the Mid-Atlantic, FishTalk contributor Jim Gronaw reports that in southern Pennsylvania, both Marburg and Long Arm lakes are stubbornly giving up largemouth bass to the early morning crowd on a variety of plastic baits fished along deeper weed edges and in shades shorelines early in the day. At Marburg, white perch are being caught on trolled nightcrawler rigs from 18 to 28 feet deep. Liberty Reservoir in Maryland is giving up a decent early morning topwater bite on largemouths that will occasionally hit the five-pound mark. And at Piney Run Lake in Carroll County bluegill and crappie are taking small jigs and worms along weed edges in six to 10 feet of water for AM anglers in kayaks and small boats. Most panfish are small, but a few bluegills up to 10 inches and crappie up to a foot long have been reported. Quality largemouths from two to four pounds are taking frog imitations in the padfields during cloudy days or low-light conditions.
Central Maryland streams and tributaries to the Potomac and Monocacy Rivers are producing good catches of smallmouth bass, sunfish and occasional channel cats. Top lures for light and ultra light tackle fishing are Rebel Crayfish crank baits, Yo-Zuri Pins Minnows and small plastic worms. Most fish are 10 to 14 inches but some larger adult fish from 16 to 18 inches do show up from time to time. Fish deeper holes and runs and don't be surprised if you get a decent largemouth bass as well. Channel cats are a bonus, and will take lures as well.
Small private and public lakes are yielding largemouth bass on a variety of top water lures such as the classic Jitterbug and the Whopper Plopper 90 during low-light periods of dusk and dawn. Both four and five inch Senkos in darker colors will take fish during these times as well. Large bluegills, some surpassing 10 inches or more, can be caught on a variety of baits such as 1/32 oz. hairjigs tipped with bait or plain garden worms below bobbers. We recommend releasing all bluegills over 10-inches to help sustain the future fishery of large panfish in our local waters. Chatterbaits are also taking a few bass as well.
Many of our regional public lakes are stocked with channel catfish and they are vulnerable to a variety of live bait options this time of year. Cut or live bluegills, chicken livers or scented hot dog chunks will attract them. Again, early and late in the day seem to be prime times for the whiskerfish. Some of these fish can exceed 10 pounds, so use tackle that will handle these fish.
7/7/2017 Freshwater Fishing Update:
Deep Creek Outfitters is running their summer contest, and so far participating anglers have been catching bluegill and yellow perch in the lake. Most have been caught on worms, and the yellow perch have been caught in deeper water. In addition, fish being caught that haven`t been logged in the summer contest have included large and small mouth bass; there has been a steady bite for them especially under docks and in shaded areas. Most freshwater fish have switched over to their summer behaviors, and are seeking out cooler waters.
Conowingo has been a good spot for catfish, bass, and also some relatively large stripers. Cut bait is best for the catfish and the stripers and bass are both interested in topwater lures fished at dawn.
The upper reaches of eastern shore rivers are still producing snakeheads, for anglers fishing plastic frogs and other topwater baits. The eastern shore millponds are also providing some action for bass and crappie anglers, though water temperatures are up and you need to fish early and late, or find areas of shade.
In the upper Potomac watershed most of the reports refer to largemouth in the shade, and catfish on cut bait caught in deep holes and channels. There are also largemouth in the weeds, especially in the upper creeks off the main river, but the thick coverage can make reaching them difficult and weedless lures are a must at this point.
Out west in the upper reaches of Virginia rivers including the Shenandoah and Rappahannock good smallmouth bites are available, though the heavy rainfall as of late may have an impact for the short term. Rebel Wee Craw lures, crayfish, and minnow have all been effective on the smallies.
Largemouth bass in all of the area reservoirs are looking for cool water and have moved deep.