Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County, MD
Chain Pickerel fishing today
Marginal conditions for Chain Pickerel.
41/100
Why today scores 41
- 57°F water — Right in Chain Pickerel's ideal range
- 8 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Thunderstorms — Get off the water immediately when storms approach
Right now at Deep Creek Lake
- Water temp
- 57°F
- Air temp
- 71°F
- Wind
- 8 mph W
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:29 AM / 8:01 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 1:00 AM - 2:00 AM · 4:50 AM - 6:50 AM · 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM · 5:20 PM - 7:20 PM
- Forecast
- Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
About Chain Pickerel
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.
Preferred water temp: 45–80°F (ideal 60°F). Preferred tide: either.
MD regulations
- Minimum size
- 14"
- Daily creel limit
- 5
Non-tidal MD: 14-inch minimum, 5 per day. Open year-round.
Source: NTMD regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.