Keith Lockwood's Maryland Fishing Report

     Oxford, Md. -- Fishermen are starting to get serious about fishing this week due to the beautiful weather. This time of the year is usually relegated to getting equipment in shape and going to outdoor shows to see what new tackle is out there and that new fishing rod you just got to have. There is some good striped bass action off Ocean City and there is plenty of yellow perch action going on.

     The fisheries service will be at the Pasadena Fishing Flea Market along with Licensing on February 18th and 19th at the Fairleigh Heights Fire House on Route 2. Come look for some bargains (there is usually plenty), buy your fishing license and stop by to chat with us.

     The relatively warm winter weather has water temperatures in the bay and tidal rivers and creeks about 5-degrees warmer than what fishermen and fish expect this year. The coldest water temperature noted in the lower Susquehanna was 38-degrees last week and fishermen are reporting 42 degrees in the Elk and Northeast Rivers today.

     Yellow perch are behaving differently this year and are either staging or actually moving up the tidal rivers towards their spawning areas. Fishermen in the lower Susquehanna are not seeing the patterns of fishing they did last year. The smaller yellow perch are schooled up in deeper water as expected but the larger fish seem to be somewhere else. Throwback ratios in the lower Susquehanna, Northeast and Elk Rivers are very high. It would be a calculated guess that the yellow perch in that 12” to 14” size range could be swimming freely in shallower waters looking for something to eat.

     Early reports are coming in from traditional tidal rivers; of yellow perch being caught; two weeks ago at Martinake State Park on the Choptank and at Hillsboro on the Tuckahoe yesterday. There have been reports of scattered catches at Gray’s Run (Bush River), Wayson’s Corner (Patuxent River), Allen’s Fresh (Wicomico River) and traditional tidal rivers where yellow perch are found. Brothers Tyler and Aiden Dunlap got to go fishing with their dad on the Sassafras recently and caught this nice yellow perch on a 1/8oz jig. Be sure to check out their Angler’s Log of February 6th. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6830475957_8afb4eb995.jpg 

     At present fishermen in boats are doing well when fishing close to the bottom with scented soft plastics and live minnows at the mouths of the tidal rivers in channels and holes. Bank fishermen are employing small grub jigs and minnows. If you’ve got the itch to get out; buy your fishing license and check out your favorite spots and you might be lucky enough to be there at the right time and be that guy who’s able to say “you should have been here yesterday." 

     Freshwater fishermen in the upper reaches of the tidal rivers and small ponds and lakes everywhere are having fun catching chain pickerel. They’re good fighters and usually charge a lure with total abandon. Crappie are schooled up deep in some of the larger reservoirs such as Loch Raven around bridge piers and marinas in the tidal Potomac and Patuxent Rivers are always good places to look. Largemouth bass can be found holding deep along ledges and drop-offs and small, slow and close to the bottom is the mantra for successful fishermen; grubs, blade lures and hair jigs worked very slow or dead sticked can entice a pickup by a bass hunkered close to the bottom. 

     John Mullican sent us the following report from the upper Potomac. Always check river levels before heading out. When river levels are at manageable levels, walleye fishing is expected to be good. Hair jigs and grubs worked through the current breaks below dams and major ledges are your best bet when the water temperatures remain in the 30s. During winter warm spells and as spring progresses crankbaits can be productive too. For the die hard smallmouth angler winter can be a tough time to catch many fish. The bass that are caught, however, can be large. Try crawling small hair jigs very slowly along the bottom in areas with little current. Pause often and let the jig sit. The hit will be a mushy feeling similar to pulling in leaves or a slight tap. Warming trends following a rain event can bring great fishing even in the middle of winter. 

     In early January a few fishermen got out on the ice at Deep Creek Lake and ice fished in some of the coves but that was short lived and the ice, what little there is of it is very unsafe. Fisheries biologist Alan Klotz recommends fishermen try some of the trout catch and release areas and mentioned the Trophy Trout section of the lower Savage as a good place to fish for trout. The pre-season stocking of trout has begun and will go through the month depending on flow conditions and weather. Fishermen can check the latest trout stockings on the following link. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/stocking/index.asp 

     Fishermen at Ocean City have been catching some large striped bass this week by trolling large Mojos, Stretch and Tomic lures. Large striped bass are moving along the beaches on their journey north and the shoal areas within 3-miles of the beach has been the place to troll; most captains are fishing north of the Ocean City Inlet. January was an exciting month for tautog fishing and a new state record 23lb tautog was caught by Charlie Donahue of Philadelphia while fishing on an Ocean City head boat that specializes in this type of fishing. Fisheries biologists aged Charles’s big tog to be 10-years old. At least one other 20 lb tog was caught last month and weather permitting the good fishing continues this month. 

Harrison's to Host 'Buddy's Pro-Am' in April

     Tilghman Island, Md. --  Starting in April, 2012, Harrison House on Tilghman Island will host the inaugural “Buddy’s Pro-Am”. The event, which benefits Brittany’s Hope, will bring together both professional and amateur fishermen for a day full of quality angling.

     The tournament will end with a meet-and-greet with fellow amateur and professional fishermen at Legends Waterfront Sports Bar at Harrison House, and is sure to include stories of Chesapeake Bay fishing from resident expert anglers, Captains Buddy Harrison, Sr., and Buddy Harrison, Jr.

     For more information about Buddy’s Pro-Am, visit http://www.chesapeakehouse.com.

Mild Winter Weather Allows For Early Trout Stocking

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun spring stocking, releasing the first of approximately 326,000 rainbow and brown trout into freshwaters throughout the state.

     “Early trout stocking is possible because of the warm and dry weather conditions - beginning with our eastern streams and ponds,” said Assistant Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “Eager trout anglers will be pleased to know that they may take advantage of the great weather and perhaps catch a trophy trout as large as eight pounds.”

     For trout stocking information and updates, contact the DNR trout hotline at (800) 688-3467. The stocking schedule and maps to stocked and special trout management waters are available at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/stocking. Anglers may also pick up the updated (green) Spring Stocking Schedule charts at DNR Service Centers and tackle shops across the state.

     Some stocked streams and ponds are reserved for delayed harvest to sustain quality angling between stocking periods and through late spring.

     Please note that the Put-and-Take closure dates for certain areas are incorrect in the published 2012 Maryland Fishing Guide.

The correct dates are:
Closure Area 1: 10:00 p.m., March 11 to 5:30 a.m., March 31
Closure Area 2: 10:00 p.m., March 25 to 5:30 a.m., March 31
Closure Area 3: 10:00 p.m., April 15 to 5:30 a.m., April 21
Closure Area 4: 10:00 p.m., April 22 to 5:30 a.m., April 28

     In order to protect our fish populations and keep their habitat healthy, DNR reminds anglers to clean and dry their gear between streams and outings. Field and laboratory research has confirmed that the felt used for waders is an ideal medium for collecting and transporting microscopic invasive species or fish disease. A good scrubbing with dish soap or a five percent salt solution is an easy way to prevent the spread of invaders such as didymo and whirling disease. Convenient wader wash stations are available at several key wild trout areas including the Gunpowder River, Savage River, the North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum area), and Big Hunting Creek. Anglers should also know that felt soles are prohibited in all Maryland waters and first offense fine is $125.

Wolfe Reels in 74-pound Rockfish for Probable New State Record

     Cape Henry, Va. -- Cary Wolfe, 56, of Prince William County, landed the potential state record striped bass Friday, Jan. 20, fishing near Cape Henry with Capt. Tim Cannon on the Bada Bing.

     Wolfe brought aboard the 74-pounder after a fight of about 15 minutes. The fish should top the current record of 73 pounds caught almost on the same day four years ago.

     To become the state record, it first must be certified by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Since it was weighed in at Long Bay Pointe Marina, certification is virtually a sure thing.

     “We knew it was a citation winner but we weren’t sure just how big until we got it on the scales at the dock,” said Wolfe. 

Registration Open for MSSA Convention Feb. 3-5

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association will host its annual convention Feb. 3-5 at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland.

     Accommodations for the convention start at $350, which includes a two night stay for 2, speakers, dinner, a show and a hospitality suite. The cost is $100 for the seminars and the dinner and show or $75 for those wishing to attend only the show and dinner.

     Find out more at http://www.mssa.net or call 410-255-5535 to make reservations.

     Guest speakers include Dr. Julie Ball, World Class Angler with 16 IGFA World Records & Virginia’s Only Level 7 Master Angler Title; Mark Melnyk, World Fishing Network’s Host of Reel Fishy Jobs and Reel Road Trips; Captain Chuck Fisher, Bass Pro Shops Seminar Speaker, Owner of BFG Tackle, Captain of The Sarah J and more.

CCA Maryland to Host Pickerel Tournament

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) today announced its first CCA MD Pickerel Tidal Fishing Championship, which begins Saturday and runs through March 15. The catch and release event is being held in conjunction with four local tackle shops—Alltackle, Anglers, Shore Tackle and Custom Rods, and Tochterman’s.

     “Pickerel reside in many of the tidal streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay during the winter,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “They also provide exciting light tackle and fly opportunities for recreational anglers.”

     Anglers can register for the event at any of the four shops. They will then compete for awards for themselves and the shop they represent in two categories, most total inches and biggest individual fish. Anglers must take photos of their fish on approved CCA MD rulers which will be available at the shops. Photos should be submitted to pickerel@ccamd.org, and complete rules can be found at http://www.ccamd.org/?p=1043. There is a $25 entry fee which includes a one-year CCA membership. Fishermen under 16 years of age and CCA life members are free.

     Questions can be answered at info@ccamd.org or 410-280-8770.

New Tagging Regulations for Commercial Yellow Perch Catch

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources pursuant to COMAR 08.02.21.04 has announced a modification to the tagging and reporting requirements for the 2012 commercial yellow perch fishery.

     Effective January 1, 2012, commercial yellow perch fishermen were required to attach a paper tag issued by the Department to all containers of yellow perch caught for commercial purposes prior to landing. Fishermen are required to complete the requested information on the paper tags prior to landing. Individual fish do not need to be tagged until January 21, 2012.

     The paper tags will satisfy the tagging requirement for yellow perch through January 20, 2012, at which time plastic locking tags will be issued for individual tagging of each commercially caught yellow perch. Yellow perch fishermen are still required to call in their daily harvest and must include the fish dealer they are selling the fish to with the harvest data. Fish dealers must hold the paper tags until March 10, 2012. All other regulations for the commercial yellow perch fishery will remain in effect.