Some Eastern Shore Millpond fishing

Type: Nontidal
Region: Eastern
Location: Eastern Shore Millponds

I headed out early yesterday, 2/16, to target William�s Mill Pond. I didn�t pick up any minnows because Anglers was still closed as I passed by at 6:30. Big mistake on my part, more of that in a minute.

As the sun rose and I drove past farm fields along the way I noticed many were under water. Drainage ditches were full too. So as I suspected William�s was high and the water was moving fast through drainage culverts under the road. The pond is rather small so I made the call to move on to Johnson�s after a few casts from shore.

I arrived at Johnson�s and the water was moving over the dam at a rather fast pace. But the lake is over 100 acres so looked rather still. There was very little wind when I arrived but that would soon change. I launched the kayak and headed up the lake. I fished the regular spots casting and trolling various baits. And wished I had stopped and waited at Anglers to pick up minnows.

The day dragged on, and the sun never came out as reported, but the wind did pick up as they predicted. I decided to drag up and head over to Smithville where it�s more protected from the wind.

One boat came up the lake as I started to leave. About that time I hooked into the only fish I caught there, a pickerel which I caaught on a 1:4oz jig. I did see on Instagram where the other boat caught a couple of crappie and pickerel too. Maybe I should have stayed.

I arrived at Smithville and launched a little after lunchtime. The water was dirty up the lake and about 200 yards down the lake too. I made my way to cleaner water and caught a largemouth bass pretty quickly. I moved further south casting various baits and caught another largemouth bass. But I came for the pickerel and they weren�t taking my offerings. I left there a little after 3pm feeling a little bummed out and wishing I had minnows.