Great Fall Fishing

Submitted by: John Mullican
DNR Fisheries

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Cunningham Falls Lake and Rainbow Lake will be stocked with adult rainbow trout during October as part of the fall trout-stocking program.  In addition to the trout fishing, Cunningham Falls Lake also offers great fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, and channel catfish.  Although many anglers put away their tackle after Labor Day, the fall season offers some of the best fishing of the year and is particularly good for big fish.  Maryland Department of Natural Resources electro fishing surveys have captured bass over 6 pounds and sunfish to eleven inches at Cunningham Falls.  Anglers should concentrate their efforts on shorelines that drop quickly into deep water and contain cover such fallen trees and logs.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the Monocacy River is productive in the fall as well.  Under low water levels and cooling temperatures, the larger smallmouth will concentrate in the deep pools. Although it may take some time to find productive areas, several nice fish can be caught from good habitat once found.  The larger smallmouth have been in the river for many years, some are over ten years old, and anglers are encouraged to release them to maintain a quality fishery.  Fall is a great time to take in the fall colors, the cooler weather, and great fishing.

Although stocking dates and locations are dependent on water flow and temperature, crews generally find conditions are right in many areas beginning the second week of October and stocking is usually complete by the end of the month.  The Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s trout stocking information telephone line, 1-800-688-3467, will be updated weekly beginning Oct. 1 so that anglers may find out if their favorite area has been stocked. After stocking is completed, a list of stocked areas will be posted online at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/.