Weekend Fishing Report

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Local waters are slowly clearing and returning to normal. By the weekend, you should see decent fishing in most area lakes and rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

It begins with the bay, where, according to Lexington Park's Ken Lamb, the water temperature has fallen 5 degrees in one week. That means various fish species begin to prepare for colder weather and will feed heavily. That's good for fishermen. White perch, rockfish, spot, bluefish and Spanish mackerel all are likely to be more active.

Local bass guide Andy Andrzejewski says the fishing has been good throughout the river. Whether you fish the weed carpets of the tidal Potomac's main stem or the fallen timber and grass beds in any number of creeks, the largemouth bass have been striking hard for soft jerkbaits, buzzbaits, poppers, some medium depth crankbaits and, of course, plastic worms.

The only waffling we will do concerns the upper mountain rivers, including the Potomac, James, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Susquehanna. As of Tuesday, many parts of western Maryland's Potomac looked murky and swift. The same holds for the James River, but by the weekend a big change for the better is possible.

Remember that National Hunting and Fishing Day will be celebrated Saturday. Many Izaak Walton League chapters and fishing/hunting clubs are inviting the public to visit and see how they pursue their recreational activities. Want to help? Next time you see a hunter or angler, give him or her a hug and thank them for being true leaders in the conservation movement. America's hunters and anglers spend plenty when it comes to preserving and enhancing wildlife and fisheries. Their license and user fees, plus special taxes levied on sporting equipment, account for a large share of what it takes to pay the bills.

(RATINGS KEY: ****=EXCELLENT FISHING; ***=GOOD; **=FAIR; *=POOR.)

AREA 1: D.C. AND VICINITY

POTOMAC RIVER: 0-35 miles (***) -- In the District, Danny at Fletcher's Boat House (off Canal Road, 202/244-0461, fletchersboathouse.com) said, "It's still a little muddy, but it will clear more by the weekend. Perhaps murky would be a better word by Saturday." There you have it. Some catfish will be caught for sure. Bass and crappies are another story. They won't be easy to find. However, the farther you get from the District, the more the fishing will improve. Main stem grasses, shoreline rocks and fall trees will offer some action during one tide or another. Guides Andy Andrzejewski (301/932-1509) and Dale Knupp (301/934-9062) say main stem grasses and those inside the creeks produce bass if you work with a variety of topwater lures or various soft or hard jerkbaits. Also, plastic worms and crankbaits can produce bass strikes and even occasional stripers. From the Route 301 bridge downstream to the Wicomico, St. Clements, Tall Timbers and Piney Point -- as well as on the Virginia side, which looks similar to Maryland's shoreline -- you will find a mix of Norfolk spot, a few small flounder, rockfish and bluefish and even Spanish mackerel that were hooked as far up as Piney Point and St. George's Island.