Next Update: April 15, 2009

If you submitted a photo and don't see your picture in the regular report please look in the photo gallery that we periodically run. Click here for this week's gallery!

Spring is certainly showing her colors this week as we are all bathed in the sights of flowering trees and daffodils just about everywhere we go. Water temperatures continue to rise and for many species of Maryland fish the conditions are almost ideal. We are of course still in for a couple of spring mood swings and Alan Klotz reminds us of that in the Freshwater western region report with a picture of heavy snow this past Tuesday.

Fishermen are experiencing improving conditions almost daily as water temperatures climb and more hickory shad, American shad and striped bass arrive in the lower Susquehanna River catch and release area. Fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay proper have been trolling for striped bass and catching and releasing fish. The success rates are something we could not have imagined only a couple of years ago; which should give us pause to consider how many of these large pre-spawn fish does one need to catch and release to have a good day and at what expense to the fish. It will be a very personal and soul searching introspection for each of us and there will be a lot of different answers. Fishermen have less than 11-days till the opening of the trophy season on April 18th and of course personal decisions will not end there as a few pre-spawn late arrivals are bound to be caught by fishermen after the 18th. Our striped bass resources and their health are one of our most cherished possessions and responsibilities that we hold dear to our hearts.

Freshwater fishermen are seeing the zenith of largemouth bass fishing this week as warmer water temperatures have bass in an all out feeding mode. Many fishermen are reporting that bass are striking just about anything that one throws out there within reason. This just might be the time to try that Homer Simpson or Budweiser crankbait that some aunt gave you for Christmas years ago as a joke. The smaller male largemouth bass are holding in most of the shallower spawning areas and the larger females are holding in slightly deeper waters nearby. Craig Walrath holds a nice largemouth he caught and released at Triadelphia Reservoir recently.

Trout fishermen in all regions of the state are enjoying another week of excellent trout fishing that has been bolstered by additional stocking of trout and increased water flows in many rivers and creeks. Those fishermen looking for a little solitude and excellent trout fishing opportunities might think about visiting one of the catch and release, trophy trout or delayed harvest trout fishing areas listed in the trout stocking website. There are helpful maps and information to guide you to some of these world class trout waters. www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/stocking/springtroutstock.html

Fishermen are enjoying good fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike this week in a number of selected waters in Maryland. Northern pike can be found in Triadelphia Reservoir and Deep Creek Lake in some of the shallower coves. Smallmouth can be found on main rocky points in better reservoirs such as Liberty, Prettyboy, Deep Creek Lake and of course the upper Potomac River. Walleyes are showing signs they are getting ready to spawn and catch and release fishermen have to work hard to entice them to strike. Bert Buchanan holds up a nice 22” walleye for the camera before slipping it back into the waters near Dam #4 on the Potomac.

Fishermen in the Ocean City area continue to watch water temperatures slowly raise in the low 40’s. A few tautog and striped bass have been caught in and around the inlet area and surf fishermen have to settle for a mix of spiny dogfish and skates at the moment.

If you submitted a photo and don't see your picture in the regular report please look in the photo gallery that we periodically run. Click here for this week's gallery!

Don't hesitate to e-mail your recent fishing/crabbing photos and trip information. Send your photos via E-mail by the following Monday in order to be included in the next update. The file should be in .jpg format with the longest side sized at 600 pixels. Please try to keep the file size small, under one megabyte. The photo should clearly depict the angler(s), fish, and ethical handling practices. For information on ethical angling practices please reference the Catch and Release information located at URL: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/articles/catch_release.html
Include the following information:

• Date
• Angler(s)
• Hometown(s)
• Photo credit

• Location

• Weight/length of catch

• Bait/lure

Important Note: If anyone in your picture is under 18 years of age, we must have a photo release signed by that person and 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.

Send your photos and information to Keith Lockwood

Until next week,

Tight Lines,

Keith Lockwood
MD DNR Fisheries Service

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