Western Region:
Fishermen at Deep Creek Lake are keeping their fingers crossed for freezing temperatures, no wind or rain so that the lake will freeze completely over and become safe enough to ice fish. At present large areas in coves and shorelines are frozen but unsafe for fishermen. This can be a trying time for fishermen because one can’t fish open water from the shores or launch boats yet the ice is unsafe, patience.
Fisheries biologist Alan Klotz sent in some good news for the regions trout fishermen. The Freshwater Institute once again provided a generous donation of 1,100 rainbow trout that were stocked in the Casselman River Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Area. The stream flow was very high, but the Bear Creek Hatchery staff did an outstanding job of stocking many of the access areas. Once the stream level returns to normal, the Casselman will be the place to go for some winter trout action. Pictured are John Folk and Mark Harmon of Bear Creek stocking at the Casselman Bridge.
Central/Southern Region:
Fishermen are taking advantage of warmer weather events and getting out and doing a little more fishing before waters start to freeze up. At present the walleye fishing in the lower Susquehanna River is very good and fishermen are catching by casting crankbaits and jigs, tubes of soft plastics close to the bottom. Most all of the regions lakes and reservoirs still have open water and although many species of fish such as largemouth bass are slowing down others remain active. Largemouth bass can still be caught this time of the year one just needs to remember to
fish close to deep water, retrieve slow and very close to the bottom and fish small lures. Walleye, landlocked striped bass and smallmouth bass are just a few of the species that fishermen are catching. Andrew Ralowicz holds up one whopper of a striped bass he caught at Triadelphia Reservoir recently.
Trout fishermen are enjoying the peace and elbow room on many of the regions trout waters such as the Gunpowder River and Deer Creek. Fishing for chain pickerel in the upper reaches of the regions tidal river and creeks can also provide a lot of action for fishermen this time of the year as will carp and channel catfish.
Eastern Region:
Winter is beginning to set its cold grip upon the eastern region and colder waters are slowing fish activity down; particularly in regards to largemouth bass. The largemouth bass whether they are in some of the tidal rivers or many lakes that dot the region tidal rivers are generally holding in deep water or close to it. Fishermen should focus their efforts on deep water and close to the bottom. At times one can find largemouth bass by fishing over grass with small floating crankbaits but the bulk of fish will come from fishing close to the bottom. Slow rolling spinnerbaits along the bottom near sunken wood or using lures such as Silver Buddies, deep diving crankbaits, grubs or jigs are also all good choices. Just retrieve them slow, downsize offerings and be ready for subtle pickups.
This is a great time of the year for chain pickerel; they just love cold water and will strike aggressively as most any offering. They can help fill in the gaps during the cold winter months for fishermen; just remember to have a good set of pliers handy for removing hooks. You’ll save your fingers and it certainly is a gentler way of removing hooks from the fish. Fishing for channel catfish remains good as long as there is open water. The catfish will be holding deep in the channels. Crappie can also be found holding deep near structure and a small minnow on a jig is a great way to catch them.
Click here to view recent bay satellite images at mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/NASAimagery/EyesInTheSky.cfm
Reservoir Bathymetry information:
The Maryland Geological
Survey has bathymetry maps on their website:
Links to freshwater flows:
Latest real time stream flow for
Gunpowder Falls near Parkton.
Latest real time stream flow for
Gunpowder Falls At Glencoe.
Latest real time stream flows on
the
Potomac at Paw Paw, WV
