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.

STREAM CONDITIONS

Here are the maps and current water and fishing conditions of some favorite Maryland trout streams. When you click on the MyTOPO links, you will be taken to MyTopo.com and shown a road map of the area. If you then click on MyTopo within the map, you obtain the topographic map of the area. Anglers are also referred to the Gelso-Coburn Guide to Maryland Trout Fishing (2006, 2nd edition) for other maps and information.