Colder water temperatures have white perch and striped bass hunkered down in waters from 35 feet to 50 feet deep out in the Bay and near the mouths of the tidal rivers. Deep Creek Lake is providing good fishing for a mix of walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and northern pike. Colder waters also get many anglers thinking about chain pickerel, which are common in both nontidal and tidal waters throughout the state. The largest trophy-sized chain pickerel tend to hold in deeper waters and will lay claim to stumps and any kind of structure. Surf casters are soaking large baits in the hope of catching a striped bass or perhaps a red drum. |