Freshwater Fishing Reports
Freshwater Fishing Report, June 4 Update:
Freshwater conditions vary across the region, but largemouth bass, panfish, catfish, and snakeheads continue to provide opportunities for anglers willing to adapt to changing water conditions. Western trout streams are in excellent shape following recent rains, while topwater presentations are becoming increasingly effective for snakeheads as aquatic vegetation grows. From mountain streams to tidal backwaters, anglers are finding productive fishing opportunities across a wide range of freshwater habitats.
Reports were mixed this week, with a subscriber letting us know that the ponds he visited in northern Maryland were cloudy and the fish refused to bite. An angler fishing a lake farther south had a decent bite on bass and didn’t note any issues with water clarity. Another subscriber checked in after fishing in Dorchester County for snakehead earlier in the week. They report that the winds were howling, and the water looked like pea soup, bright green and murky with only two to three inches of visibility. Needless to say, they had a total of zero bites between two anglers in three hours of fishing. They did see plenty of gizzard shad and carp splashing around, but did not see any snakehead. On other areas of the Eastern Shore and tributaries off the Potomac, anglers are starting to see spawning activity with snakeheads paired up in shallow vegetation. It is possible we may start seeing fry balls pop up in a few weeks, but they should definitely be around by July. Topwater lures have been the most effective baits now that aquatic vegetation has matured for the summer.
FishTalk contributor Eric Packard checked in with us after fishing St. Mary’s Lake this week. He caught 17 largemouth bass, one shiner, two yellow perch, one bluegill, four crappie, and three chain pickerel. The fish were caught in six to eight feet of water while casting and trolling a variety of lures, including a Mepps #2, Yo-Zuri jerkbaits, and Yum green pumpkin and watermelon five-inch Dinger wacky worm on a Spearpoint GP Finesse hook. The region’s lakes, ponds, and streams will be great places to enjoy pan fishing for species like bluegill, crappie, and other sunfish species. They are relatively easy to catch and can be found in the shallows along shorelines. All that is usually needed is a small hook rigged under a bobber with a piece of worm. You can also catch them by throwing small soft plastics like trout magnets or twisty tails on very light jigheads. The Eastern Shore freshwater bite hasn't slowed for summer just yet, and a reader hitting Uriville looking for big red-breasted sunfish caught them up to almost 8", several big bluegill, and a nice bass as well. A trip to the upper Chester near Crumpton produced a mix of channel cats, a 19" white cat, and a big 16" bullhead. All were caught on night crawlers fished on a 5/0 circle hook.
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing reports that the western trout waters are in good condition after the deluge of rain during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The mountain streams are in excellent condition, the spring creeks are full, and their state-stocked waters are running around average flow. They say that mountain brook trout anglers should have green drakes and little yellow stones to match hatching insects. It was also worth mentioning that streamers from sizes eight to 10 are working really well for bigger brookies right now. Tricos are hatching in the mornings on the spring creeks and beetles will start emerging soon, so we are just a few weeks away from terrestrial season. In Maryland, some delayed harvest trout management waters in the central and western regions of the state are now open from June 1st through September 30th. Other areas in the western region known as Group II will open for harvest on June 16th through September 30th. The Maryland DNR trout fishing website has all the information you need to plan your trip. Also be sure to check out the Virginia DWR trout fishing website for information on those waters.
