Fishing Report For Loch Raven Reservoir, MD

Current Report: Good

Many locals report Loch Raven Reservoir to be the best bass lake in the area. Largemouth bass are the dominant species, but there are plenty of smallmouth around as well.

FALL. Now that Fall has arrived, bass here have moved shallow, following schools of baitfish into coves and shallow bays around 6 to 18 feet of water. The main body of the lake between the Loch Raven Drive Bridge and the Dulaney Valley Road Bridge tends to hold the bulk of the largemouth population. Concentrate on points, corners of pockets and shallow feeding areas. Currently topwater, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits are catching most of the bass. Later in Fall, as deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons, jigs and drop shots are often good choices in 15 to 25 feet of water.

WINTER. Winter will isolate largemouth around slightly deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. They can be found from 15 to 30 feet deep. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations are key to getting bites.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water nearby spawning areas. Vibrating jigs, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 5 to 15 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 3 to 5 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms and swimbaits are catching bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they will be caught in 5 to 15 feet of water. Topwater, square-bill crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on gizzard shad, threadfin shad, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 15 to 25 feet deep.

Current Report: Good

To say chain pickerel are abundant in Loch Raven Reservoir, would be an understatement. Lots of small fish, but anglers report catching quality fish in amongst the smaller ones.

FALL. Cooling water moves these predators slightly deeper. However, they continue to feed in the shallows for short periods of time, mostly in late afternoon when the shallows are the warmest. They spend other times of the day on deeper flats, from 12 to 20 feet deep, nearby drops into even deeper water.

WINTER. The colder months can be some of the best time to catch pickerel, and this winter was no exception. They are typically holding in slightly deeper water, but still feeding aggressively, often moving up shallow to feed. Fishing can be good with spoons, ice jigs, live minnows and cut bait.

SPRING. Now that the ice has melted, and water temperatures are in the mid 40's, chain pickerel are moving up into 2 to 10 feet of water. Here they will feed heavily, and spawn. Shallow coves and bays with weeds, grass and vegetation are their preferred locations, which is why Loch Raven Reservoir is an ideal habitat for these predators. Jerkbaits, crankbaits and Johnson spoons are ideal lures now, as these pickerel are feeding on small fishes.

SUMMER. During the preliminary weeks of Summer, early morning anglers are having good results. Warm afternoons may also draw then to feed shallow, in 3 to 10 feet of water, for short periods of time. Spinners, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and noisy topwater are all good choices here, along with live and cut bait. Mid Summer drives chain pickerel into shallow cover where they can ambush small fish and frogs. Thick vegetation is ideal cover due to the shade it creates. Look for the bigger fish to hold around 15 to 18 feet deep drop-offs, just outside these weedy, shallow flats.

Current Report: Fair

Crappie fishing has been slow at Loch Raven Reservoir for some time now. However occasionally anglers report catching fairly good quality once they locate schools.

FALL. Baitfish, which are moving into shallow flats, coves and bays, are drawing crappie into these areas. Nice crappie are being caught while feeding heavily, in preparation for the cold Winter. Anglers report that 5 to 18 feet of water is where most bites are coming. Minnows, hair jigs, and crappie jigs, are good options during this feeding marathon. Late fall starts the migration deeper, toward winter holding areas, for both crappie and baitfish. Small flutter spoons, fished in 15 to 25 feet of water, are a good option during this transition. Good results are coming around points, creek channels, and brush piles.

WINTER. Once the shallows start cooling rapidly, crappie will migrate to deeper holding areas, mostly off shore. At this time they are typically caught using a very slow presentation, in 15 to 25 feet of water. Most are caught around deep brush piles, creek channel bends, submerged timber, and main-lake structure. If they are suspending in open water, they often relate to some cover, or structure change, directly below them.

SPRING. In early Spring, crappie begin staging in 5 to 15 feet of water, just outside spawning bays and shallow flats. Spring is prime time to be on the water, as crappie have moved shallow to spawn. At that time, they are typically caught in 2 to 8 feet of water. Vegetation, docks, brush and wood are where most anglers catch crappie using small crappie jigs or live minnows. After the spawn, crappie typically move outside the spawning area and hold on cover close by, in 12 to 20 feet of water. Once they move deep, anglers report success using fish finders and forward facing sonar to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Light tackle, with 4 lb to 8 lb line, is a popular choice.

SUMMER. Water temperatures get quite warm, and crappie fishing is usually pretty good. They feed in 8 to 10 feet of water early and late in the day, until the hot Summer sun causes them to retreat to depths of 12 to 20 feet. Also, a few have embedded in the shade of slightly shallower vegetation. This is a good time to focus around brush piles, standing timber, deep lay downs, bridge pilings and deeper docks. Anglers are also locating schools of crappie hanging over deep structure and around creek channel edges, using fish-finder electronics.