Jennings Randolph Lake fishing conditions · Maryland

Today, 1 pm–10 pmSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 92. Water is 58°, inside their 55–78° range, and a solunar period lands on the window.

Right now: 84 for smallmouth bass, worth the tripTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

843 am
84
84
846 am
84
84
849 am
82
84
8412 pm
92
92
923 pm
92
92
926 pm
92
92
929 pm
84
84
84Tue
84
84
843 am
82
82
826 am
82
82
829 am
82
82
8212 pm
82
84

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: 58°F
Wind: 3 mph
Flow: 74.2 cfs
Light: Dark
Sky: Mostly Clear
Air: 39°F
Barometer: Steady
Moon: 100% lit

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Maryland non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

92GoToday, 1 pm–10 pm

Water

58°

45°55–78° · ideal 68°88°

Why

Smallmouth bass is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside smallmouth bass's active range. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum (or as set by special regulation), 5 bass a day combined with largemouth, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February. Catch and release is allowed at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on smallmouth bass

Walleye

Sander vitreus

80Worth the tripToday, 1 pm–10 pm

Water

58°

40°50–72° · ideal 62°82°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside walleye's active range. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

15" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 15" minimum, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year. On the Potomac main stem from about half a mile above Chain Bridge to Cumberland, walleye over 20" must be released Jan 1–Apr 15. Deep Creek Lake and the Youghiogheny below the Route 42 bridge are closed Mar 1–Apr 15.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–May, Oct–Dec. More on walleye

Largemouth bass

Micropterus salmoides

74Worth the tripToday, 1 pm–10 pm

Water

58°

45°55–85° · ideal 72°95°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside largemouth bass's active range. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum (or as set by special regulation), 5 bass a day combined with smallmouth, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February. Catch and release is allowed at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Nov. More on largemouth bass

Crappie

Pomoxis spp.

74Worth the tripToday, 1 pm–10 pm

Water

58°

40°50–80° · ideal 65°90°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside crappie's active range. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

15 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: no minimum size, 15 a day (30 in possession), open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov. More on crappie

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

74Worth the tripToday, 1 pm–10 pm

Water

58°

42°52–86° · ideal 72°96°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside common carp's active range. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

15 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland non-tidal waters: no minimum size, open year-round, 15 a day and 30 in possession.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Last checked 8 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct. More on common carp

Channel catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

33Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

58°

50°60–85° · ideal 75°95°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Below channel catfish's active range (60–85°F). Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: no minimum size, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on channel catfish

The water

Water temperature58°F
River74.2 cfs · steady · +0% in 24 h
Barometer30.40 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunrise today7:37 am
Sunset today6:22 pm
MoonFull, 100% lit
Minor solunarToday 7:40 am–8:40 am
Major solunarToday 12:10 pm–2:10 pm
Minor solunarToday 5:50 pm–6:50 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

Maryland DNR, Oct 14

Freshwater Fishing. The fall trout stocking program continues this week with new locations being stocked. Anglers should keep in mind that not every trout management water will be stocked and are encouraged to check the most updated stocking list on the trout stocking website . The stockings are posted on the afternoon of each stocking day. Fishing for smallmouth bass in the upper Potomac is being enjoyed by anglers this week. Cooler water temperatures are more comfortable for smallmouth bass, and they are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish. Tubes, small crankbaits, and soft plastic swimbaits are all good choices when fishing current breaks and underwater ledges and boulders.

Quoted from the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report. Reports are what anglers and biologists saw that week, not a forecast.

Licenses and rules: MD DNR · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

A US Army Corps of Engineers reservoir straddling the MD–WV border in Garrett County. Approximately 952 acres with public boat ramps and shoreline access. Good walleye and largemouth fishery.

Managed jointly by MD DNR and WV WVDNR; check both states' regs. Free access. Campground on-site.

WaterReservoir
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesMaryland non-tidal
WhereGarrett County · 39.4193, -79.1268

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

North Branch Potomac River — Barnum2 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–11 pm

92Go

North Branch Potomac River — Luke3 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–12 am

92Go

Savage River Reservoir7 mi · MarylandBest today 11 am–11 pm

80Worth the trip

Deep Creek Lake10 mi · MarylandBest today 11 am–9 pm

86Go

Broadford Lake Park13 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–6 pm

80Worth the trip

Piney Reservoir21 mi · MarylandBest today 5 am–6 am

78Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Jennings Randolph Lake?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Jennings Randolph Lake you need a Maryland non-tidal fishing license issued by MD DNR (and a separate Maryland trout stamp if targeting trout in non-tidal waters). See the agency's current rules: https://dnr.maryland.gov/pages/service_fishing_license.aspx

What fish are commonly targeted at Jennings Randolph Lake?

Jennings Randolph Lake is listed on this site for 6 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, and 2 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 Jennings Randolph Lake?

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 Jennings Randolph Lake 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 Jennings Randolph Lake have?

Jennings Randolph Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Managed jointly by MD DNR and WV WVDNR; check both states' regs. Free access. Campground on-site.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Jennings Randolph Lake?

Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at Jennings Randolph Lake. 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 Jennings Randolph Lake tidal water?

No. Jennings Randolph Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.