Maryland Angler's Log - Share Your Catch!

To post a report please email your name, hometown, photos, location information, and the content for your report to fishingreports@dnr.state.md.us. All information is optional, but encouraged.

Important Note: If anyone in your picture is under 18 years of age, we must have a photo release signed by a parent/guardian before we can post your picture. By sending any photos or art to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources you are giving DNR permission to use the image(s) online and in print. You are also giving DNR permission to distribute the photo for non-commercial purposes to other media, print, digital and television for their use. You are not giving up your copyright, but are allowing the photo(s) to be used for educational and news purposes. All Photos will be made available on Fisheries Service Flickr Page.

The Snakehead Contest is being incorporated into an Inland Freshwater Survey on the Volunteer Angler Creel Survey webpage. For 2013 the end-of-year random drawing will include anglers reporting snakeheads to the Anglers Log as well as anglers participating in the Volunteer Angler Creel Surveys. We encourage anglers to continue to report snakehead catches. The information is helping our biologists better understand how this invasive species increases its range.

Rachel Ehm, Youth Angler
Monkton, MD
Total Reports: 1
View all reports by Rachel Ehm →

Posted on June 14, 2013 | Permalink

Fishing is Fun With Family and Friends

Type: Freshwater
Region: Central
Location: Bynum Run Pond Fishing Rodeo

What I like about the fishing tournaments are, that we can have fun with our families. We have memories of fun times when we catch all the fish. I love catching big fish like Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, catfish, Bluegills and more.

When the days are slow with catching fish and we don't really catch anything, we go and catch the little fish at a pond my Dad knows, just so we can have fun. My Dad helps us out with teaching us how to catch the really big fish, and helps my brother and I know what bait to use. My Mom like to cheer us on and take pictures.

I like the different ponds we go to for the tournaments because we catch a different variety of fish. I like the prizes they have too, sometimes we win, and sometimes we loose, but it does not really matter because I have fun fishing with my friends and my family.

Tags: Bynum Run Pond Fishing Rodeo, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegills

Matthew Brown, Recreational Angler
Total Reports: 1
View all reports by Matthew Brown →

Posted on June 14, 2013 | Permalink

Full Grown Sculpin Not Baby Snakehead

Type: Freshwater
Region: Western
Location: Upper Potomac River

I caught this baby Snakehead in Bloomington, MD in the Potomac River.

DNR Response: Matthew, it's not a snakehead, It's either a Blueridge or Potomac Sculpin. The exact identification is difficult without being able to count fin rays and chin pores. Here is a link to a key to Maryland fishes from Rich Raesly of Frostburg University.

Tags: Blueridge Sculpin, Potomac Sculpin

Keith Harris, Recreational Angler
Brandywine, MD
Total Reports: 1
View all reports by Keith Harris →

Posted on June 14, 2013 | Permalink

Cooler of Cats at Piscataway

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Piscataway National Park

On Saturday 7 Jun 2013, I joined a group of anglers at Piscataway National Park on the Potomac. The fishing was outstanding. Using surf rods with double leaders and 3oz weight. I was able to fill the cooler full of blue cats. Cut bait was the preferred meal of the cats. Some members caught them with night crawlers, most were caught with cut bait.

Tags: Blue Catfish

John Mullican, Fisheries Biologist
Total Reports: 41
View all reports by John Mullican →

Posted on June 13, 2013 | Permalink

Good Fishing on the Potomac

Type: Freshwater
Region: Western
Location: Upper Potomac

Fishing has been good on the upper Potomac River. On a recent trip we landed many bass, including this plump fish caught by fellow biologist Mark Toms. The bass were aggressive, and apparently a bit too competitive, as I landed two bass at the same time! Although we were targeting smallmouth using jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and tubes, several Redbreast Sunfish and Channel Catfish also took our lures adding to the fun. Recent heavy downpours, however, have raised river levels and muddied the river in many areas. With more storms predicted, some sections may not be fishable for a while. Localized storms can muddy the water in one area while much better conditions can be found further upstream. Be sure to check levels, including the tributaries, before heading out. Potomac River bass fishermen please consider reporting your catch through our online volunteer survey. It's quick, easy, and the information will help us monitor changes in the bass population and fishing over time.

Tags: Smallmouth Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish

Jim Gronaw, Recreational Angler
Total Reports: 11
View all reports by Jim Gronaw →

Posted on June 13, 2013 | Permalink

Giant Hybrid Sunfish

Type: Freshwater
Region: Central
Location: Local Farm Pond

I caught these giant hybrid sunfish last week on a 1/32 oz football jig tipped with a worm below a bobber at a local farm pond in central Maryland.. I believe these to be green sunfish X bluegill hybrids due to the fin edging and the oversized mouth...a green sunfish trait. The larger fish was darker and at 12.75 inches appeared to display a green sunfish dominance due to the slightly more elongated body shape and lack of barring in coloration. The more colorful, wider, or 'taller' sunfish, displays a bluegill dominance due to body shape and slight barring, and slightly smaller mouth, proportionately. That fish was 12.25 inches, with a 14.75 inch girth.

I believe both of these fish exceeded the two pound mark. Both were released after photos. Now is the time to cash in on the best bluegilling of the year with fish spawning and active in the shallows of many waters. Take a kid fishing! The other photo shows my granddaughter Elena Gronaw with her first ever bluegill from a local pond.

Tags: Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish