Savage River Trophy Trout Area

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Savage River

I fished the Savage River Trophy Trout Fishing Area for the first time since the gates were replaced in the Savage Reservoir and flow operations have returned to normal. I fished the upper section close to the dam known as the "Junction Pool" and caught a nice 13-inch brown and a 9-inch brook trout. There has been a lot of spawning substrate deposited in this stretch of the river from the reservoir draining, and there were quite a few white suckers spawning over the gravel. It was interesting to see a brook trout position itself just downstream of the spawning suckers, presumably feeding on the released eggs. I also noted hundreds of small minnow fry throughout the lower Savage, it is amazing how quickly fish are re-colonizing the river!

Trout anglers should also try the Catch and Release Trout Fishing Areas of the North Branch Potomac River as both the upper and lower areas received adult brown trout recently, averaging between 9 and 12 inches. Also, the Youghiogheny River C&R Trout Fishing Area received some adult brown trout that we float-stocked throughout the entire four-mile stretch.

All Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas are now all opened for harvest - anglers are allowed 5 fish per day, no bait restrictions, and anglers should also be reminded that culling trout is unlawful. There should be a lot of trout in the Casselman River, North Branch Potomac River bordering the Potomac State Forest, and the Youghiogheny River in Friendsville as stream flows were above normal throughout most of the late spring.