Weekend fishing report

What a great weekend this will be. In the rivers, the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean, there will be action galore. One reason is a rise in the water temperature that, in the case of species that come from the South, has encouraged migration.

It begins with tremendous numbers of Atlantic croakers that are invading the Chesapeake Bay like so many waterborne locusts. The croakers now have come up the tidal Potomac River as far as the bridge for U.S. Route 301, and they’re inside the Patuxent and Choptank rivers in Maryland. They’re also in Virginia’s York, James and Rappahannock rivers.

The trophy striper season begins Saturday in Virginia and continues through May15. One 32-inch-and-over rockfish a day is allowed. Maryland’s trophy striper season is already under way, and most of the private and charter boats that troll Sassy Shad-laden umbrella rigs or individual spoons and parachute bucktails on the Chesapeake are finding fine specimens.

If it’s huge black drum you’re wondering about — because they arrive here every year at this time — word has it that some are being caught around the Cape Charles, Va., portion of the Chesapeake. Many more will follow within the next week.

Bass catches can be made in nearly all the tidal rivers but it’s the Potomac that is best. Largemouths and occasional, unplanned hookups with stripers are seen from the Nanjemoy Creek to the Chicamuxen, including such areas as the Arkindale Flats and Wade’s Bay. The upper river toward the District also turns up bass action.

The Maryland DNR reports a change in flounder regulations: Effective immediately, the recreational 17-inch minimum size restriction and daily catch limit of eight summer flounder a person has been rescinded. The recreational summer flounder minimum size will be reduced to 17 inches, with a daily catch limit of three fish a person. The recreational summer flounder fishery will remain open year-round in the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays and tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

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

AREA 1: D.C. AND VICINITY

POTOMAC RIVER: 0-35 miles (***) — The water in the Fletcher’s Boat House stretch (off Canal Road, 202/244-0461) was on the rise at midweek because of upper river runoff but Ray Fletcher says, “With a little luck, it’ll be fishable by Saturday.” His area of the river continues to show large numbers of shad, some herring, perch, catfish and stripers. On Saturday, the District’s rockfish season begins. You’ll be able to keep two 18-to-36-inch fish an outing. Guide Andy Andrzejewski (301/932-1509) finds that many of the tidal water bass are on spawning beds now and require a little coaxing. They had been hanging around wood cover, but now find marsh edges and gravel bars suitable for spawning, some of it in the main stem of the river but even more in the feeder creeks. However, spinnerbaits will elicit strikes, as will Power Worms and various jigs and pork or plastic trailers. Local anglers Mark Coggins and youngster Colin Matthewson of Alexandria have been catching blue catfish in the Marshall Hall to Mount Vernon area. Matthewson had a 27-pounder the other day, and Coggins says, “We’re getting a lot of blue catfish in this range, mixed in with stripers.” Better make an appointment for a booking if you want to catch croakers down by the Route 301 bridge with pontoon boat captain Steve Riha (804/224-7062). More fish are arriving every day. The rental boats inside the Wicomico River, at Quade’s Store, are said to average 40 croakers an outing. The fishing can be spectacular.

MATTAWOMAN CREEK: 40 miles (***) — Bass can be hooked on plastic worms, jig ’n’ craws, spinnerbaits, even crankbaits if you work the spatterdock fields. Concentrate on the edges of the fields so your lure can be worked down into the drop that is normally found adjacent to the “lilies.” Expect quite a few spawning bass now, and many of them will be upstream past Slavin’s boat ramp on Mattingly Avenue in Indian Head.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND LAKES: 40-50 miles (***) — Gilbert Run Park’s Wheatley Lake (Route 6, east of La Plata) will turn up sunfish and a few crappies. The bass are willing but must be released. Upper end of lake shows some spawning activity. In St. Mary’s Lake (Route 5 south of Leonardtown, on Camp Cosoma Road), the crappie and catch-and-release bass fishing has been quite good.

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) has been good for bass that like wacky-rigged plastic worms, as well as grubs or Texas-rigged worms. Small spinnerbaits and hard jerkbaits also will draw hits from bass. The sunfish are hungry, so take the kids and use a worm and bobber setup to catch a mess..

WSSC RESERVOIRS: 20-30 miles (***) — (Triadelphia, off Route 97, or Route 650, in Montgomery County; Rocky Gorge, off Route 29 in Montgomery County) Bass will be on their beds or about to go into spawning mode, so don’t expect great action, but walleyes are possible, as are crappies and sunfish.

PATUXENT RIVER: 25-60 miles (***) — The Tackle Box in Lexington Park says the croaker fishing is spectacular. Boat renters at Bunky’s on Solomons Island found croakers at Drum Point and elsewhere. A reader who signed his name simply “Andy” sent an e-mail saying he caught 24 croakers from the shore at PAX River Naval Air Station and added, “I was using a combination of bloodworms and squid strips.” Ken Lamb, of the Tackle Box, echoes the report. “The beaches and inlets of the Naval Air Station have lots of croakers at night and even some during the day,” he said, then added that some anglers fishing the TPS seawall get doubleheaders of 16-to-18-inch specimens. “It takes strong tackle to bring in two at a time,” he said.

OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR: 25-30 miles (**) — In the Fountainhead Park (Route 123, Fairfax County) to Bull Run stretch you can expect bedding bass along the shores of various coves, but some nice fish will be taken on soft plastics or shallow jerkbaits. Crappies and catfish are hungry.

BURKE LAKE: 29 miles (***) — (Ox Road, Route 123, Fairfax County) Lake points and shallow shores around them are home to bass spawning beds, so be prepared to notice the presence of fish but little cooperation. Not so with the crappies, catfish and sunnies. They’re willing. Small worm baits under a cork will get sunfish and even crappies.

AREA 2: CENTRAL, WESTERN MARYLAND

POTOMAC RIVER: 35-100 miles (**) — Just around the time when the river appeared to be in good enough fishing shape, more rain came and water levels rose. However, by the weekend there should be some smallmouth catches from Washington down to Montgomery counties. Jigs, tubes and grubs will do the job. Catfish and some red-eared sunfish will be hooked for sure, while walleyes and tiger muskies are incidental catches. There are no guarantees for the latter two species.

DEEP CREEK LAKE: 210 miles (***) — State biologists say the walleye fishing continues to be good. Northern pike are being hunted over emerging grass. The bass up here have not yet started to sit on spawning beds. Rocky points deliver a few smallmouth bass.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER: 65-100 miles (**) — Murky water continues to plague the inside of the river and the Flats. A few rockfish are taken on the Flats in 5 to 6 feet of water, but it could be a lot better.

AREA 3: CHESAPEAKE BAY

45-75 miles (***) — Stripers are actively feeding, and they aren’t bashful about striking trolled umbrella rigs, bucktails, spoons — you name it. The stripers, some in the 41-inch class, are hooked in good numbers from around the Bay Bridges down to Bloody Point and waters south, including the Choptank mouth area. One 25-pound rockfish was caught from the beach at Sandy Point State Park. As the boats pass the Radar Towers, the Calvert Cliffs power plant and begin to get into the Gas Docks area, Little Cove Point, Buoy 76, Hooper’s Island Light, Point No Point and Middlegrounds, the fishing is simply awesome, according to Ken Lamb of Lexington Park’s Tackle Box, who adds, “The rockfish are rocking and rolling up and down the ships channel.” Some boaters are done within minutes after they release the umbrella rigs that normally are loaded with sassy Shads in chartreuse or white. Some of the best action has been south of the Patuxent River at the HI Buoy. Meanwhile, croakers are taken from the Point Lookout State park pier along with a few striped bass. Get ready for snapper bluefish. There’s a huge school of them now just above the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

VIRGINIA: 75-150 miles (***) — In the Chesapeake near the Maryland line, the water temperature stands at 59 and 60 degrees — perfect for striper fishing, and since the state’s trophy season begins Saturday, there’ll be good catches in store for boaters. Northen Neck charter fishing captain Billy Pipkin (Ingram Bay Marina, 804/580-7292) says the best location for trophy fish will be between Smith Point south and the Cut Channel. The channel edges between Smith Point Light and the yellow SP Buoy south to Northern Neck reef are holding plenty of fish now. He says in his area on the Great Wicomico River, the evening hours can produce croakers up to 2½ pounds in fairly shallow water. Down toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Ken Neill of the Peninsula Saltwater Sport Fishermen’s Association says it’s time to start “banging the drum.” He refers, of course, to black drum, a fish that comes into the Cape Charles and Kiptopeke areas to spawn. Some have been caught, but the fishing will really pick up next week and the week after. On the bridge-tunnel’s Fourth Island, tautogs and some flounder are taken. Taylor blue fish (little ones) are in the same area by the thousands.

AREA 4: EASTERN SHORE / MARYLAND

CHOPTANK RIVER: 120 MILES (***) — (Route 50 east to Cambridge) The mouth of the river has seen croaker and rockfish catches, while the upper river around Denton and above can be good for a few largemouth bass that like spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

POCOMOKE RIVER: 140-170 miles (**) — (From Snow Hill down to Shad Landing) Croakers continue to show at the mouth around Roaring Point, but bass fishermen are now concentrating on upper areas between Snow Hill and Shad Landing State Park, where largemouth bass have jumped on small 4-inch ring worms. The trouble is that no big bass are seen.

NANTICOKE RIVER: 120 miles (***) — (Sharptown ramp off Route 313) Bass boaters have scored from Delaware’s Broad Creek across to Marshyhope Creek in Maryland, as well as the main stem clear up to Seaford. You’ll have to search for willing bites since some of the bass are seeking shallows to spawn and many of those spawning areas are in inaccessible waters. If you fish the downstream Vienna stretch of the river (Route 50 crosses it), don’t be surprised if a rockfish jumps on a spinnerbait or a medium depth diving crankbait.

AREA 5: CENTRAL VIRGINIA

LAKE ANNA: 82 miles (***) — (Along Route 208, Spotsylvania County) Bass are on the spawning beds, some are already off them, and yet others haven’t begun yet. That means you’ll hook bass if you work a shallow- to medium-depth crankbait along rock-filled points and bars. Fish the upper ends of the lake for best results. Meanwhile some rockfish are hooked around Jetts Island and Terry’s Run. Trolled Redfins can score, as will Sassy Shads.

RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER: 47-100 miles (**) — (Fredericksburg to Leedstown) Bass catches are getting better. Chris Hicks at Hicks Landing says several clubs that had tournaments did quite well. The hickory shad are leaving Fredericksburg, but lots of herring are in the river. Catfish and rockfish are available from Hicks Landing to Port Royal and beyond, especially around Leedstown.

LAKE BRITTLE: 59 miles (***) — (Route 793, off Route 29) Bass will be busy on their spawning beds, but some largemouths will be hooked. Check out the crappies and bluegills.

LAKE ORANGE: 75 miles (***) — (Concessionaire: Darrell Kennedy, 540/672-3997; look for left turn sign on Route 20 before town of Orange) Crappie fishing has been fine, but some decent bass are hooked as well, although many are on spawning beds. Sunfish and channel “cats” are hungry.

LAKE GASTON: 179 miles (***) — (Route 46, Gasburg) Bass are on the beds, but some whoppers are still swimming about as if they’re done with the reproduction. The trouble is that they could be post-spawn bass and that means they’ll act goofy for a few days.

KERR RESERVOIR: 185 miles (***) — (Route 58, Clarksville) Bass catches are only so-so because of spawning activity, but blue catfish and stripers aren’t bashful.

CHICKAHOMINY RIVER: 160 miles (***) — (Williamsburg area) Stripers and catfish will love a piece of fresh herring bait, and there are tons of the soft-finned baitfish in the river now. Huge catfish continue to be hooked, but the bass fishing isn’t very good this week.

JAMES RIVER: 115 miles (***) — (Tidal Richmond area and downstream) Large striped bass and blue catfish are plentiful in the river between Dutch Gap and the Appomattox mouth. Herring and perch are also flitting about up and down the waterway.

AREA 6: WESTERN VIRGINIA

SHENANDOAH RIVER: 75-85 miles (**) — The Route 340, Front Royal, Luray and Bentonville stretch might be in much better shape, but we don’t know whether Tuesday’s rains did any damage. It takes mud a while to show up. Smallmouth bass have been taking tubes and grubs.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE: 210 miles (**) — (Located on Route 122, east of Roanoke) When 16 pounds of rockfish win a tournament, it tells you that the striper fishing isn’t very good right now. Some crappies, smallmouth and largemouth bass are hooked.

UPPER JAMES RIVER: 130 miles (**) — (Route 6, south of Charlottesville at town of Scottsville) Although fairly clear, the water level and river current is not perfect for fishing, but some smallies are hooked. Flathead catfish are also available. Smallmouth bass catches are on hold. Water is swift and high.

AREA 7: ATLANTIC OCEAN

MARYLAND: 153-175 miles (**) — (Route 50 to Ocean City) Some rockfish are found in the surf, but don’t promise fish dinners to anyone until after you’ve caught the striper. New flounder regulations call for 16-inch minimums (not 17 inches), but only three flounder a day can be kept. The season will be year-round. A few flounder are caught inside the inlet by drifters using squid/silverside combinations. The offshore wrecks turn up tautogs and only a few sea bass. The headboats: Bill Bunting Dock, 410/289-7424; Miss Ocean City, 410/213-0489.

VIRGINIA: 210 miles to Virginia Beach (**) — Flounder will bite from Chincoteague to Wachapreague and Oyster if the wind ever stops blowing. Inshore waters show snapper bluefish, especially at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Offshore wrecks hold tautogs and increasing numbers of sea bass. If you head to the North Carolina Outer Banks, be advised that the red drum (channel bass) have been biting around Buxton’s Cape Point. And 14- to 15-pound bluefish have been taken from Ocracoke Island’s beaches. For charter information call the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, 757/422-5700.

EVENTS

Kids’ Fishing Day — Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Regional Park, White Oak section of Silver Spring. Free event sponsored by the Potomac-Patuxent chapter of Trout Unlimited. Children under 16 can catch trout and sunfish, rain or shine. The park lake will be stocked with trout. Bait will be provided. Each child should bring a rod, reel and tackle such as hooks and a small bobber as well as warm clothing, drinking water and a snack or lunch. An adult should accompany younger children. Information: pptu.org; 301/562-9307.

Freestate Fly Fishers meet — May 5, 7:30 p.m., at Davidsonville Family Recreation Center. Public is invited. Information: Mike Price, 410/320-0080.

Trout Unlimited — May 6, 7:30 p.m., the Northern Virginia chapter meets at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Center Street SE. Don Hershfeld, former senior aquatic ecologist for the Corps of Engineers, will discuss trout fishing opportunities in Garrett County, Md. Free. The public is invited. Information: www.nvatu.org.

Surf fishing school — May 6-9, Sept. 9-12, Oct. 21-24, Outer Banks in Nags Head, N.C. Each session is scheduled to coincide with productive fishing periods. Pro guides Joe Malat and Mac Currin are instructors. Cost: $250. Contact Malat, 252/441-4767; joejoemalat.com. Motel reservations, 800/334-3302.

Sporting Clays Classic — May 21-22, Pintail Point, Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Benefits the National Kidney Foundation. May 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., sponsors party at Pintail Point’s Manor House. May 22, 10 a.m., registration, beginners clinic and shooting lessons, followed by lunch and entertainment. Competitive shooting starts at 1:30 p.m. with 100 targets, 17 stations (shells provided). Prizes include trophies, snow goose, quail and pheasant hunts. Four-shooter team, $1,000; individual entry, $250. Registration: Claudia Hartmann, 202/244-7900, ext. 18; hartmannkidneywdc.org

Freestate Fly Fishers spring outing — May 22, Trappe Pond State Park, Laurel, Del. Caravan assembles 7 a.m. at MacDonald’s on Route 50/east, just before Bay Bridge. Information: Don Fitzhugh at fitzbagaol.com or 301/261-5799.

You can reach us via e-mail at gmueller@washingtontimes.com.