Weekend Fishing Report

Now that the gales have disappeared and there’s new water on previously bone-dry tidal flats, it’s going to be a great weekend for anglers of every stripe.

Start with the shad in the Fredericksburg section of the Rappahannock River or the Susquehanna River’s Deer Creek and other areas in the “mother” river of the Chesapeake Bay. For shad, white perch and a few large catch-and-release stripers, the Fletcher’s Boat House area of the Potomac River in the District’s Georgetown section perhaps is best.

Then think of the largemouth bass that are biting in the main stem of the tidal Potomac. Gravel bars, rocky shorelines and such are the hangouts, and plastic worms or rubbery grubs are the top fish-getters, although lip-less rattle baits can score, too.

All the tidal feeder creeks and some of the local reservoirs promise crappies, so get a handful of 1/16-ounce jigs, preferably dressed in white chenille and a tail made of hair or feathers and you’re all set. Tie the lure to 8- or 10-pound-test monofilament, snap a plastic float to the line some 3 or 4 feet above and cast the setup into flooded trees, underwater brush piles, boat docks and other obstructions — then hang on.

Even along the Atlantic Ocean, there’s at least some fishing action now that the powerful winds have calmed. Tautogs and the first sea bass are noted by boats that work the wrecks not far from shore. With a little luck, Virginia flounder drifters will score in the backwaters of Chincoteague, Wachapreague and Oyster.

AREA 1: D.C. AND VICINITY

POTOMAC RIVER: 0-35 miles (…) — The Fletcher’s Boat House stretch (off Canal Road, 202/244-0461) continues to provide white perch, hickory shad, white shad and some fat catch-and-release rockfish. Here are the dates for the District’s keeper striper season: May1 through July31 and Sept.1 through Nov.14. Two rockfish a day, 18 inches minimum, 36 inches maximum, are allowed. There will be some stained water coming downstream, but it’ll be OK for fishing. Scented, plastic worms, Rat-L-Traps, Mann’s Sting Ray grubs and the like will be looked at by bass in the main stem from Columbia Island to the Fox Ferry rocks area, and also Spoils Cove, where a few perch and crappies cooperate. If you find rocks, stone slabs, gravel bars and underwater humps, the plastic baits with a little scent sprayed or smeared on them, will find bass. Surprising amounts of milfoil weed are growing along the shoreline and around river points. That, too, can hold largemouth bass, stripers and white perch. Guide Andy Andrzejewski (301/932-1509) reports, “I’m finding my bass with red bloodline worms in 4-inch sizes but also the Sting Ray grubs and Rat-L-Traps. Some days are better than others, but this week’s trips were nearly ruined by the strong winds.” Andy has been fishing downstream of the Mattawoman Creek. Small boat charter captain Steve Riha (804/224-7062) is waiting for the first croakers to appear around the Route 301 Bridge and the general Cobb Island area. So far nothing. But it will happen this month.

40 miles (…) — Bass have been found on grubs, worms and crankbaits from around the creek’s Deep Point and Burn Point areas, as well as the insides past the slow zone, heading up to Slavin’s ramp. A few well-fed crappies are also hooked on live minnows or shad dart-and-bobber rigs. Look for sunken brush or old barges such as the one on the right side of the creek before Hancock Cove. Warmer weather should bring in more herring to the Mason Springs (Route 225) portions.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND LAKES: 40-50 miles (…) — Gilbert Run Park’s Wheatley Lake (Route 6, east of La Plata) has stocked trout, small bass, some crappies and sunfish and the weekend looks fine. St. Mary’s Lake (Route 5 south of Leonardtown on Camp Cosoma Road) turns up better-sized bass and crappies and good numbers of fat sunfish.

LITTLE SENECA LAKE: 30 miles (..) — Black Hill Regional Park (off Route 117, near Boyds, 301/972-9396) and nearby Seneca Creek Lake (Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, 301/924-2127) are going to see some trophy bass caught this weekend. It’s time for the big mamas to cruise about looking for bedding sites. A short plastic worm, a beaver-tailed grub, maybe a 3- or 4-inch broken-back Rebel or Rapala jerkbait fished around shore obstructions and lake points will see action sooner or later. Sunfish and catfish are getting more active. And yes, so are the tiger muskies.

WSSC RESERVOIRS: 20-30 miles (…) — (Triadelphia, off Route 97, or Route 650, in Montgomery County; Rocky Gorge, off Route 29 in Montgomery County) Get going. The bass are biting, and the wind isn’t blowing like it did earlier this week. Medium depth crankbaits, maybe a lip-less rattle lure, or 4-inch plastic worms and 3-inch grubs need to be worked around lake points, sunken brush or trees. Peter Schumacher had a 20-inch largemouth last Sunday during the winds; he caught it on a 5-inch plastic worm in Rocky Gorge. Crappies and sunfish are getting active. Check out shore brush and other hidey spots.

PATUXENT RIVER: 25-60 miles (.) — Nothing good to report from this river. There should be all sorts of springtime fishing action, but it hasn’t materialized. Saltwater fishing hasn’t begun yet.

OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR: 25-30 miles (…) — In the Fountainhead Park (Route 123, Fairfax County) to Bull Run stretch, park ranger Smokey Davis says the bass and crappie fishing was fine until winds and rain arrived. “Now the reservoir is high and stained with lots of debris,” says Smokey. “Also, the water temperature has dropped, but the fishing should really pick up now that the weather is stabilizing.”

BURKE LAKE: 29 miles (…) — (Ox Road, Route 123, Fairfax County) You’ll begin to see crappies and bluegills ganging up, with crappies finding underwater brush and stickups suitable, while the bluegills will look for bedding sites along shorelines. Flyrodders could have a ball on the sunnies, but bobber and jig users score more with the crappies. Some bass are hooked around lake points and brushy spots. Use rattle lures or small spinnerbaits.

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