Last Updated: 19 March 2019 19 March 2019

GENERAL INFO

WATER FLOW CONDITIONS

The US Geological Survey posts the current flow info for some 3,000 hydrologic stations around the country on their website: USGS Real-Time Water Data

The main start point for Maryland waters is here: Real-Time Data for Maryland.  Click on "Statewide Streamflow table" to access a list of stations by watershed.  We have listed a few of the more popular trout fishing streams and links to their topographic maps and gauging stations below.

PHONE NUMBERS

There are several phone numbers that provide information that could be of some use to trout fishers. All involve releases/water conditions at some important streams.

Gunpowder 410-329-6821

Deep Cr. Lake 315-413-2823

N Br. & Savage 410-962-7687

The Gunpowder number is Backwater Angler next to the stream, run and operated by Theaux LeGardeur; either a person will answer or, after hours, the tape will tell what's going on the stream right then. The Deep Creek Lake power plant release is what flows into the Youghiogheny at Hoyes Run near McHenry; the clear water of the release usually adds 3-10 inches to the flow of the river. The Corps of Engineers tape (phone #3 above) for the North Branch and Savage is updated periodically, as flows change and upcoming events approach; also go to this link for expected releases: JR & Savage dams projected releases. Good wade fishing flows for the former are in the range of 150-250 cfs, the latter 75-110 cfs; dangerous/unwadeable flows are >350 cfs and >150 cfs, respectively.  Best floating levels for fishers on the N. Branch from Barnum to Bloomington are about 250 - 400 cfs; below Westernport they are 300 - 500 cfs.

POACHERS

The chapter has some business-sized cards that carry the two toll-free phone numbers for reporting poachers in Maryland 24 hours a day. Be sure to pick up a card at the monthly meetings or your nearby tackle shop to carry in your wallet.  Both numbers now ring in the same room for the MD DNR Natural resource Police.  Remember, there may not be an immediate response to your call, but it is logged. Patrols are based in part upon reports of poaching activity in a given area.  When the reports start accumulating, then more patrols and better response times might be expected. The DNR Police number is 800-635-6124 and the State Parks number is 800-825-7275. Try to get license plate number and description of the individual(s) involved.

PATUXENT WATER TEMPS

Until recently, the U.S. Geological Survey gauging station below Brighton Dam on the Patuxent did not have a river water temperature sensor and the USGS was unable to add one because of funding restrictions. Recognizing the value of such information for this upcoming fishery, members of PPCTU approached the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and asked if we could assist in the provision of this service. The Trout Unlimited Mid-Atlantic Council (MAC) agreed to share the cost of the addition. Please see DNR Letter for the successful result of this effort.

SAVAGE RIVER

Trout Unlimited has listed the Savage River in Western Maryland as one of 10 Special Places. PPTU's own Nick Weber is featured in a video interview about the stream and it's role in the local ecology. Click on the link to go to the TU page to read about the stream and see the video.

MARYLAND DNR ANGLER ACCESS MAP

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources hosts an interactive Angler Access Map on which you can locate publicly accessible fishing spots, stocked areas, and managed trout areas. Click on the "Map Layers" option on the left and select the options you wish displayed. Once the map is populated, you click on the items/points displayed for additional information. (Note: this site may intermittently be unavailable.)

STREAM CONDITIONS