Maryland may have the best walleye fishing you’ve never heard of. The state has several bodies of water that hold quality sized walleyes in good numbers, but they’re often overlooked. Many of the locals just don’t have a history of fishing for them, passing them up in favor of striped bass or largemouth bass, but Maryland has established a very good walleye fishery. Let’s take a look at some of the places you can find them.
Deep Creek Reservoir
Deep Creek is located in Garrett County in western Maryland. It was the first successful walleye fishery in Maryland. You can use all the standard tactics like trolling, drifting, castings, and jigging at Deep Creek. A lot of quality fish are caught trolling crankbaits or drifting minnows near rocky areas and off of points. Jigging those same areas will also catch fish.
Liberty Reservoir
This impoundment just west of Baltimore holds good numbers of walleyes, though they aren’t often targeted by local fishermen. Remember there are no gas motors allowed on this lake; electric motors only. Trolling Rapalas and other minnow type baits along the old river bed and near rocky shoreline is a popular way to catch walleyes at Liberty. The locals have also borrowed a trick from the repertoire of Lake Erie walleye fishermen; they drift weight forward spinners tipped with nightcrawlers, or cast the combo from the bank.
Triadelphia & Rocky Gorge Reservoirs
Some of the best Walleye fishing in the state of Maryland can be found in these two connected reservoirs just north of Washington, D.C. Both provide rocky cover with access to deeper water that walleyes prefer. Trolling or drifting with crankbaits or spinner and nightcrawler combinations will catch fish. Jigging rocky areas will also produce. These are water source impoundments, so no gasoline motors are allowed. You’ll also need a special permit from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, but those are easily obtained at the Brighton (Triadelphia) Dam office. You might also want to try your luck below Brighton Dam. Many walleyes are caught in the tailwater below the dam by fishing a minnow beneath a float.
Potomac River
The Potomac may be one of the biggest walleye secrets around. The river has a thriving walleye population thanks to a concerted effort by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to turn the Potomac into a first class walleye fishery. You can catch walleyes in the Potomac from Cumberland in western Maryland, all the way into the District of Columbia. In fact, many people taking advantage of the fantastic Potomac largemouth bass fishery in and around the nation’s capital pick up walleyes in the process. While you can catch walleyes throughout much of the Potomac, the best concentration of fish is in Washington and Frederick Counties. The best places to fish are below Dam #4 and Dam #5; both are near Williamsport, Maryland. There’s also a boat launch at Williamsport, as well as along other stretches of the river. Shore fishing is also productive. Fishing live bait, jigging, or casting noise making crankbaits all work well. The fish tend to concentrate below the dams in the fall, winter, and spring, but in the summer they disperse. Many are caught at night in the summer on shallow running crankbaits or tight lining minnows.
Susquehanna River
You’ll have to climb the rocks to fish the Susquehanna below Conowingo Dam, but the effort could well be worth it. Many walleyes are caught below the dam by jigging, throwing crankbaits, or fishing live bait on the bottom. Be ready to lose a lot of gear, the rocks claim many a line and lure. As a bonus, you can catch trophy striped bass and huge channel cats while fishing for walleyes below Conowingo. Don’t rule out a visit above the dam, too. Conowingo Reservoir holds good concentrations of walleyes. Standard drifting and trolling methods work well there.
Other Places to Try
There are a number of other bodies of water in Maryland where you can find walleyes including Jennings Randolph Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, and Pretty Boy Reservoir. The walleye fishery at Jennings Randolph is very good; in fact, the Maryland state record walleye was caught there. There are remnant populations of stocked fish at Loch Raven, though that lake is no longer managed for walleyes. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is expanding its efforts at Pretty Boy Reservoir, and is trying to establish a quality walleye fishery there. The lake is perfect for walleyes; you can expect very good walleye opportunities there in the near future.
