Gene Mueller’s weekend fishing report

Monsoon-like rains inundated the Washington area, and the fishing picture for those who enjoy freshwater rivers and lakes looks dim. It will take four days, at least, for the Shenandoah River, the upper parts of the Potomac, Rappahannock, James and Susquehanna to clear and run slower before decent fishing is again available.

However, in the Chesapeake Bay the fishing will return quickly. In fact, by the time you read this the striped bass catches should begin to return. Don’t forget, Friday the Maryland rockfish season enters its second phase as two 18-inch-and-over stripers can be kept, but only one of the two may measure over 28 inches.

In the lowest portions of the Chesapeake, the black drum bite is going great guns, while red drum (aka redfish or channel bass) are taking baits and lures on the seaside of the Eastern Shore. The Peninsula Saltwater Sport Fisherman’s Association’s Ken Neill said, “Fisherman’s Island Inlet is still the best location. More fish will be caught on the Inner Middle Ground Shoals over the next couple of weeks.”
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Neill added that the black drum bite is just ridiculous, with huge fish being caught in the Buoy 13 and Buoy 16 area. Chowder and sea clams are the top baits. This bite is at its peak just in time for this week’s Black Drum World Championship. Check out www.esvachamber.org/festivals/drumfish for details on the contest.

Locally, tidal water bass fans will probably be able to fish some of the Potomac’s feeders, including the Mattawoman, Chicamuxen, Aquia and Potomac creeks. The bass are there and they’re used to seeing stained water, so use loud or bright color lures along spatterdock, wood and marsh edges.

Here’s this week’s outlook:

(Ratings key: ★★★★=excellent fishing; ★★★=Good; ★★=Fair; ★=Poor.)

AREA 1: D.C. AND VICINITY

POTOMAC RIVER: 0-35 miles (★) At Fletcher’s Cove (Georgetown, off Canal Road; call 202/244-0461), Ray Fletcher said it might take until late Sunday or Monday before the fishing resumes. Currently it’s high, muddy and swift. Downstream, from the Piscataway to the Chicamuxen, weekenders might see good enough conditions inside the feeders to hook a few bass. Cut baits will find big catfish.

WICOMICO RIVER: 55 miles (★★) From the Bushwood area on out to the middle of the river and upstream there will be croakers caught by Saturday. The fish are definitely there.

MATTAWOMAN CREEK: 40 miles (★★) There’s a chance for bass by tomorrow. Use 4-inch plastic worms, small crankbaits and blunt-nosed poppers around spatterdock or marsh edges. Catfish are hungry in center channel waters. They like cut fish or special blood baits.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND LAKES: 40-50 miles (★★★) Gilbert Run Park’s Wheatley Lake (Route 6, east of La Plata) will turn up young bass and fat sunfish. St. Mary’s Lake (south on Route 5, past Leonardtown, to Camp Cosoma Road) will catch crappies, bass, sunfish galore despite the heavy rains.

LITTLE SENECA LAKE: 30 miles (★★★) Black Hill Regional Park (off Route 117 near Boyds, 301/972-9396) is good to go; the rain did no damage. Catfish, bass and sunfish are biting. Donna at the nearby Seneca Creek Lake (Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, 301/924-2127) said the lake is open to fishing, but she couldn’t say if anyone was hooking bass or other species. Give it a try.

WSSC RESERVOIRS: 20-30 miles (★★) (Triadelphia, off Route 97, or Route 650, in Montgomery County; Rocky Gorge, off Route 29 in Montgomery County) There’ll be discolored and muddy water in the lakes, but by the weekend you’ll at least catch a catfish or two, maybe a bass.

PATUXENT RIVER: 25-60 miles (★★) Starting Friday you’ll be able to hook 18-inch-and-over rockfish and keep them only as far up as Point Patience, but farther upstream the chance for white perch, maybe scattered croakers is improving.

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