Fishing Report For Loch Raven Reservoir, MD

By Rick Seaman

January 20, 2025

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Fishing Report Loch Raven Reservoir, MD

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Loch Raven Reservoir, MD

Largemouth Bass

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Many locals report Loch Raven Reservoir to be the best bass lake in the area. Largemouth bass are the dominant species, but there are plenty of smallmouth around as well. The main body of the lake between the Loch Raven Drive Bridge and the Dulaney Valley Road Bridge tends to hold the bulk of the largemouth population. Concentrate on points, corners of pockets and shallow feeding areas. In spring they venture into the river areas and creeks to spawn. I like mid-range crankbaits when bass are active, and stick worms when the bass are finicky.

Chain Pickerel

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

To say chain pickerel are abundant in Loch Raven Reservoir, would be an understatement. Lots of small fish, but anglers report catching quality fish in amongst the smaller ones. These are aggressive feeders and will hit most any lure you throw. For best results, baitfish-imitating lures are a great choice. The Rapala PXR Mavrik 110 Jerkbait allows you to fish slow or fast, and vary the depth.

Black Crappie

Uncle Buck's Panfish Creatures Curly Tail Minnow Rigged

Current Report: Fair
Outlook: Good

Crappie fishing has been slow at Loch Raven Reservoir for some time now. However occasionally anglers report catching fairly good quality once they fine crappie. Spring is the premiere time to be on the water as crappie move into shallow coves to spawn. Docks, brush, wood and deep vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Light tackle with 4-pound line is ideal. Locals report good success using fish finders to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In Spring and Fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel and northern pike at Loch Raven Reservoir in Maryland.

Loch Raven Reservoir is a 2,400-acre lake with over 39 miles of shoreline. Fishing enthusiasts can target a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and perch. Loch Raven Reservoir's clear fertile water, and diverse underwater structure provide great holding spots when fish move to deeper water. The Loch Raven Fishing Center offers fishing tackle, live bait, boat rentals, and supplies.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

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Fishing License

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Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

No campgrounds or RV parks.

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".