Freshwater Fishing Report, September 4 Update:
Summer patterns are still producing across the region, with bass, pickerel, and other species active around submerged vegetation and shoreline structure. Snakehead remain a good option in the tidal tributaries while water temperatures stay warm, particularly around emergent vegetation and SAV. Mountain trout fishing is best on spring creeks, where Tricos are producing in the mornings and terrestrials such as beetles, ants, hoppers, and crickets take fish through the afternoon.
A subscriber sent in a report after they fished St. Mary’s Lake this week. They fished from midafternoon until around sunset and found fish near submerged weed beds. They caught 20 largemouth bass, seven pickerel, one crappie, one bluegill, and one yellow perch. None of the fish were particularly large, but one of the pickerel was a chunky 22.5-incher. Several lures got bites including a squarebill crankbait, beetlespin, texas rig, and they even caught a few on a topwater Torpedo. Another reader sent in a report after fishing a southern Maryland Lake and said that their fishing was on the slower side. They were targeting crappie and bass, which they said are usually plentiful at this lake, but struggled to get bites. They caught four crappie up to 12” on live minnows and caught half a dozen bass while throwing soft plastic creature baits up to fallen trees along the bank. They mentioned that the water felt very warm, so that may have been why the fish weren't as active.
FishTalk Contributor Eric Packard sent in a freshwater report this week in between his trips to tidal water. Last weekend, he took his grandson out to target snakehead along the Patuxent River corridor. They fished a pond close to the river, and he sent him out with a chatterbait. After a few casts, he called over to say that he had hooked up. The fish came out of the water several times, but it was eventually subdued. Packard helped him land the fish that ended up being a 24”, nearly four-pound snakehead. September will be the last month of somewhat stable weather before fall cold fronts start to move into the region. Take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts, because cooling water temperatures will slow down snakehead activity. We are still getting good reports from the Potomac River tributaries including Aquia Creek, Potomac Creek, and a few from Mattawoman Creek. Apex Predators Guide Service reports that the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac area producing a mix of species. On recent trips, they have caught snakehead, largemouth bass, blue catfish, white perch, and striped bass. The bass and snakeheads are hanging close to emergent vegetation and areas with large SAV beds.
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing reports that recent storm flows are receding, and most local rivers are returning to their normal summer base flows. Anglers looking for higher water can still find elevated levels in the North Fork of the Shenandoah drainage north of Harrisonburg, while the Dry River, Skidmore Fork, and larger East Slope streams in Shenandoah National Park may offer a few more days of fishable flows. For trout, the spring creeks remain the best bet, with fish feeding actively on dry flies for much of the day. Tricos are producing during the morning, followed by beetles, ants, hoppers, crickets, and Hex mayflies through the afternoon and evening. Small, naturally presented terrestrials are particularly effective in the low, clear water, so lighter tippets and longer leaders can help when targeting wary fish. Keep a few streamers handy as well, particularly ahead of any rain later this week, when rising water can trigger trout to move and feed aggressively. Overall, mountain trout fishing should improve significantly once cooler temperatures and meaningful rainfall return, while the spring creeks should provide the most consistent action in the meantime.