Cacapon Resort State Park

Morgan County, WV

Cacapon Resort State Park offers public shoreline and pier access on a freshwater lake in Morgan County. Common targets include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and chain pickerel.

Live · updated

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish & Chain Pickerel — tied at the top (68/100)

5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Cacapon Resort State Park.

68 /100
good
Air Temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
7 to 12 mph
W
Rain
10%
Saturday
Pressure
Steady
6-hour trend
Water Temp
Tidal waters
Tide
incoming
Sunrise
5:46 AM
Sunset
8:36 PM
Moon · 70%
waning gibbous
Time Type Height
12:02 AM High 2.8 ft
6:30 AM Low 0.8 ft
11:56 AM High 3.2 ft
7:09 PM Low 0.6 ft

5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.

#1 Largemouth Bass Workable day for Largemouth Bass. In season 68/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.

Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.

Daily creel
6

6 black bass/day in aggregate (12" minimum on many waters — check the water-specific rule).

Source: West Virginia regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#1 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 68/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.

Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.

Daily creel
6

6 black bass/day in aggregate (12" minimum on many waters — check the water-specific rule).

Source: West Virginia regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#1 Crappie Workable day for Crappie. In season 68/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.

Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.

Daily creel
30

West Virginia: 30 crappie/day on most waters (some impoundments are lower — confirm).

Source: West Virginia regulations · verified 2026-06-03.

#1 Channel Catfish Workable day for Channel Catfish. In season 68/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.

Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.

Daily creel
30

30/day (lower on some designated impoundments).

Source: West Virginia regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#1 Chain Pickerel Check local Chain Pickerel regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 68/100
Regulations not yet verified

We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Chain Pickerel in WV on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Esox niger — Native toothy predator of mill ponds, blackwater rivers, and grassy shorelines — especially common on the Eastern Shore. Hits spinners, spoons, and minnow plugs aggressively. Cold-weather fishery when bass have shut down.

Prefers. Water 45–80°F (ideal 60°F) · either tide · depth 3–15 ft.

No regulations on file for West Virginia / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.

Water Body

Lake

Access

Pier, shore, and ramp

Jurisdiction

West Virginia

Coordinates

39.5086, -78.3103

Local reports & rules for Cacapon Resort State Park: West Virginia DNR fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cacapon Resort State Park?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Cacapon Resort State Park you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Cacapon Resort State Park?

Cacapon Resort State Park is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Cacapon Resort State Park?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Cacapon Resort State Park against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Cacapon Resort State Park have?

Cacapon Resort State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Cacapon Resort State Park?

state agency regulations apply at Cacapon Resort State Park. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Cacapon Resort State Park tidal water?

Yes. Cacapon Resort State Park sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.

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