Fishing Report For Prettyboy Reservoir, MD

By Rick Seaman

January 31, 2025

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Prettyboy Reservoir Fishing Video
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Fishing Report Prettyboy Reservoir, MD

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Prettyboy Reservoir, MD

Largemouth Bass

Current Report: Fair
Outlook: Good

Locals report crankbaits and stick worms to be two reliable baits at Prettyboy Reservoir. Crankbaits are particularly effective when the bass are active. They also provide a quick way to cover lots of water and identify where the bass are holding. If the bite is slow, use wacky-style stick worms to tempt finicky bass into striking. Bass tournaments held by Electric Bass Anglers, are limited to electric or human powered boats. The event held in August of 2024 took over a 3 1/4-pound average to win.

White Crappie

Uncle Buck's Panfish Creatures Curly Tail Minnow Rigged

Current Report: Fair
Outlook: Fair To Good

Local crappie gurus report 4 lb line or less is a benefit for catching big crappie, at Prettyboy Reservoir. Brush, wood and vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Using a bobber set at 18" or more and you're good to go. Spring is the premiere time to be on the water as crappie move into shallow coves to spawn. Fish finders are helpful in locating schools of crappie, which tend to congregate around cover.

Channel Catfish

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good

Numerous rivers and creeks empty into Prettyboy Reservoir, delivering nutrient-rich water for the fish residing in the lake. Channel catfish favor areas where they have feeding flats off these river and creek channels, next to deeper water. Fishing reports indicate Spring through early Fall, when the water of the lake are the warmest, is the best time to catch catfish here. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Submerged road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup. Nightcrawlers, prepared baits and shrimp are three good choices, although the options are endless.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, bluegill and yellow perch at Prettyboy Reservoir in Maryland.

Prettyboy Reservoir is a 1,500-acre lake with 46 miles of shoreline . Anglers can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and yellow perch. Motorized boats are not allowed, so only kayaks, canoes, and row boats are permitted. A launch ramp is located off Spooks Hill Road on the north-east side.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a Maryland Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".