Western Region:

Trout fishermen are still experiencing excellent fishing on most creeks and rivers in the region. It's a safe bet local thunder storms will play havoc with water levels so check flows before traveling any distance to your favorite stream or river. Biologist Ken Pavol reports that stimulator type dry flies and streamers have been working well on the North Branch. The warm water will begin to put big trout off feed, but you wouldn't figure so by looking at Brandon Kendall's 6.5 lb rainbow trout caught on a Rapala near Barnum. Biologist Alan Klotz sent in this report. Trout fishing in the Youghiogheny River Catch and Release Trout Fishing Area has been great. A cloud of #20 Blue-winged Olive mayflies start hitting the water about 8:00 in the evening, bringing up a lot of trout to sip them off the surface. Light tippets are a must as the water is pretty low and clear, and the trout are feeding in pods in the larger pools. I was able to land several browns and rainbows in the 11 to 13 inch range in the last hour of light last Friday evening. Also, the Delayed Harvest Trout Management Areas still are holding plenty of trout for fishermen. Pictured is Katelyn O'Brian with a 17- inch rainbow trout she recently caught in the Casselman River. It was her first fish!

The fishing on Deep Creek Lake is definitely in the summer mode and anglers are scoring big time on a wide variety of fish species. Biologist Alan Heft reports that he has been experiencing excellent walleye fishing working night crawlers on a jig or worm harness along weed beds in 12' to 15' of water. Alan stated he has been fishing with his two young sons and using worms accounts for a wide variety of fish. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, large bluegills, yellow perch and walleyes are being caught. Alan Klotz has also been fishing with his children on the lake and sent us this report. Fishing the docks has been very productive for many of the fish found in Deep Creek Lake. The kids and I fished the right under the State Park docks Sunday evening and had good action with those big bluegills typical of Deep Creek Lake. Several yellow perch, rock bass, and smallmouth bass were also caught using small worms in 12 feet of water. Chance Knox, age 6, of McHenry had a great evening when he caught this big largemouth bass under one of the docks using a shiner.

Fisheries Biologist John Mullican sent in a report from the upper Potomac and a picture of his son Nick. The Potomac has at Williamsport has been holding at 2.0 feet for the last week. The river is generally clear and has been reaching 83°F by late afternoon. Smallmouth action has been steady for small fish, but larger fish have been more difficult. Look for smallmouth to be near riffles and ledges with a fair amount of current this time of year. Water willow grass beds near these areas can be particularly good. Anglers should try small top waters (Pop-R, Skitter pop, etc) or Rapalas near the grass beds and pockets of calmer water in the riffles. The white miller hatch has begun. The good wading areas near Shepherdstown (Packhorse Ford) should have plenty of millers as darkness overtakes the river. Walleye action has also been good early and late in the day. Jigs and crankbaits fished slowly are the ticket for walleyes. This photo is of a 26- inch walleye that I caught on a jig while fishing with my son, Nick. He also landed several nice walleye, including a 20- inch beauty; he caught on his own.

Central/Southern Region:

The Baltimore County reservoirs continue to provide outstanding fishing action for freshwater anglers. They are all in the summer swing of things, which means fishing deep during the day and shallow for largemouth bass in the early morning or late evening. Minnows, shiners and worms fished in 6' to 12' of water will produce a variety of fish. Various lures such as jigs and deep crankbaits and plastics will also produce. Fishermen at Liberty have been experiencing some excellent striped bass fishing with many of the fish weighing in at over 25 lbs. Large shiners has been the bait of choice.

Piney Run Park reports that catfishing has been excellent and the results of their big "Whisker fish" tournament bear that out. The 1st place fish was a 7.21 lb bruiser. Chicken liver is by far the preferred bait by anglers in the lake targeting catfish. Jim Gronaw reports that the largemouth bass fishing continues to be excellent on the lake. Anglers are targeting bass on the outside edges of the hydrilla beds with crankbaits and sinking plastic worms. Top water baits are effective at daybreak or dusk. Jim tells us the next big tournament is the Lunar Lunker bass tournament on July 16th; call the park at 410-795-5165 for more information.

Fishermen are doing well on largemouth and smallmouth bass below the Conowingo Dam on Rapalas, crankbaits, and small plastic jigs and fly fishermen are using poppers. Channel catfish are in abundance below the dam as are big carp. Many of the smaller ponds and lakes in the region are producing good fishing for a wide variety of fish. Neal Feldman of Owings Mills recently caught this largemouth in a small Carroll County farm pond. It was caught on a "Scum Frog" top water lure worked over floating vegetation. Bluegills provide a lot of entertainment this time of the year and fortunately are found to be plentiful throughout the region. Working small rubber- legged poppers with a fly rod for bluegills is a pure summer evening delight. St. Mary's Lake near Lexington Park is a great place to find these scrappy pan fish. St. Mary's Lake holds some beautiful largemouth bass and Howard Griffith who was visiting from Michigan shows off a 5.75 lb bass caught on an artificial minnow with a spinner.

Eastern Region:

Fishermen all across the Eastern Shore of Maryland are enjoying fishing opportunities in small ponds and lakes and local rivers. Butch Chambers enjoyed a bonding experience with his visiting grandchildren while introducing them to fishing on his pond in Trappe. Young Harry and Tate Chambers of Arnold hold a ½ lb bluegill for the camera.

Shelton Walters reports that the largemouth bass fishing on the Sassafras River is hot, especially in the Georgetown area of the river. The main river docks and lay downs are the places to look for lurking bass. Senko worms and most any kind of crankbait have been working very well. Shelton reports that the Choptank has been producing a few nice bass in Watts Creek and the main river has been producing very well from Denton to Greensboro. The fishing has been better on a high tide and the first half of the ebb tide. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms have been working best. The Tuckahoe River below Crouse Mill has been providing some good largemouth bass and chain pickerel fishing for bank fishermen. Channel catfish continue to be abundant in the basin at Martinak State Park and through most areas of the river.

The Nanticoke River has been running a bit stained, but fishing has been fair on hard cover. The Wicomico River has been providing good largemouth bass fishing around old fuel piers, sand bars and sunken wrecks. Plastic worms, jigs, tubes, and crankbaits worked deep have been the ticket to good catches. The Pocomoke River water has been looking good and providing good fishing. Plastic worms worked on sunken wood and spinnerbaits in the lily pads have been good choices.

Fishermen should note that yesterday's torrential rains will certainly have an impact on all area rivers, but most should clear up by the weekend. The rivers with the most undisturbed watersheds will certainly fair the best.

Reservoir Bathymetry information. The Maryland Geological Survey has a bathymetry maps on their website:

• Loch Raven

• Pretty Boy