Freshwater MD Fishing Report – June 15

We often hear that we should take more time outdoors with family and friends, and fishing is a great way to do that. A dedicated angler never feels they are fishing enough – time is short so grasp every opportunity you can.

A fun family event next week can help us reduce the numbers of invasive snakeheads. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host its second annual snakehead derby at Gunpowder Falls State Park in Baltimore County. Snakes on the Dundee II will take place June 25 at Dundee Creek Marina.

Hot summer weather creates tough conditions for striped bass survival, which is why DNR once again will run its striped bass fishing advisory forecast for the warmest months, so anglers can better plan their fishing for striped bass to lessen mortalities.

Forecast Summary: June 15 – June 21:

Freshwater FishingAnglers in the western and central regions of the state are enjoying catch-and-release action in the fly-fishing-only trout management waters. There are a number of hatches in progress so casting dry flies is often considered by fly-fishing anglers the ultimate way to fish for trout. Terrestrial insects are also on the trout’s menu so hoppers and ants also make good choices.

The streams and rivers of Western Maryland offer a great way to beat the summer heat whether wading in a cool flowing trout stream or kayaking down a lazy river. The Monocacy, Conococheague, and the North Branch of the Potomac River are areas worth exploring for kayaking.

Although fishing is good for a variety of species at Deep Creek Lake, anglers are reporting that the vacation season is in full swing. It is best to get off the water by mid-morning unless you’re okay with dodging boat traffic and jet skis. There can be refuge to be found in back coves. Floating docks are excellent places to look for largemouth and smallmouth bass, and flipping wacky rigged worms and stick worms under the docks is a great way to entice a lounging fish to pick up a bait. A mix of yellow perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass can be found along deep grass edges by drifting minnows.

This is an excellent time of the year to fish for largemouth bass; they are slipping into a summer mode of behavior but water temperatures are still a bit forgiving, so good fishing can last until late morning and begin again during the late afternoon and evening hours. Targeting the shallow waters and grass in the mornings with a variety of topwater baits and transition areas with spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and lipless crankbaits are good tactics. In tidal waters, an ebbing tide is a great time to look for largemouth bass on the outside edges of grass and spatterdock.

Bluegills and a variety of sunfish species always provide plenty of fun for the light-tackle angler with spin or fly fishing gear. They can be found in almost every body of water in Maryland. They also provide a great target for our youngest anglers and are often the first fish they encounter.