Suggested Locations for Float Tube Fishing

[danflyfish]

I'm new to the area and would like to try a little float tube fishing
for warm water species. I'm limiting myself to still waters, so small
lakes, reservoirs, ponds and the like are what I'm interested in. Can
anyone suggest a few public waters within 50-75 miles of DC that are
float tube friendly?

Thank you.

[Micah]

With the encouragement of some of the other TPFR's I hopped in at the
Duck Pond (the tidal lagoon near the airport) a few weeks back. I only
kicked around for a half hour or so and it was pretty dark. I got
eaten alive BUT I think it's a great looking spot. the current wasn't
too crazy and, as I put in at the right/upriver end of the parking
lot, was able to kick pretty far along the shore and explore.

It looks shallow over on that end but there are lots of trees and
structure to cast to. It was fun and sooner or later I'll get back
there. I'll have to patch up my waders again and maybe I'll stay drier
on my next outing.

Good luck! Let me know if you're headed out and I'd be happy to join
up. Bobbinng around in a float tube is not as much fun if you can't
laugh at your fishing partners who are also out there looking crazy!

[Brad Gentner]

There are lots of great spots in MD that I canoe, but I'm not sure the
legality of float tubing. For instance, Rocky Gorge Reservoir and
Tridelphia Reservoir are really nice, but since they are water supply
lakes they don't allow swimming (that I'll never figure out). So, is
float tubing considered swimming? You got me. They also don't allow
power boats, which is great. They are well insulated from development
(you'd never know you were in the middle of the 'burbs). But I don't
know how they would handle a float tube given the no swimming rule. One
thing I will say is I have NEVER seen any enforcement on either lake. I
have caught nice largemouth, crappie, and pike in both lakes. There is
a chance of trout because the stock the Patuxent upstream of
Tridelphia. Access is good to both lakes.

There are tons of public ponds scattered all over Montgomery County that
I haven't explored, but seem like they would be perfect. South
Germantown Park Pond, Little Seneca Lake, Clopper Lake, Lake Needwood,
Pine Lake, MLK Jr. Lake, etc. No personal experience with any of those,
but many are stocked with trout (so likely hold other fish) and they
look perfect.

Also, on the Patapsco at Daniels, MD there is dam. Upstream of that dam
is maybe three miles of water that has excellent smallmouth and
largemouth fishing (rock bass and pumpkinseed fishing is pretty good as
well). They stock the Patapsco below the dam with trout. You could walk
your float tube up to the top of the impoundment and drift down. There
may be a few sand/gravel bars where you have to stand up and walk, but
it is a neat spot. I put my canoe in at the dam and will paddle as far
upstream as the water levels will allow and you can absolutely hammer
small to medium sized smallies.

Brad

[Rob Pallace]

Brad,

I grew up in Howard County Maryland and am familiar with a lot of spots. I also know a good neighborhood lake in the western part of the county that has incredible largemouth and bluegill fishing. I haven't fished the Patapsco since the late 1980s, but I would be up for a little Howard County Odyssey--we could hit the Patapsco and then I can show you the lake that I fished since I was about 9 (and still do).

I live in Alexandria

Rob Pallace
TPFR Member
703-786-1125

-----Original Message-----
From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brad Gentner

Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 10:51 AM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Suggested Locations for Float Tube Fishing

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[Rich, Marek]

I've heard really good things about the Triadelphia Reservoir. More specifically, in between the Green Bridge boat ramp and Brighton Dam, which is located just off Rte 650/New Hampshire Ave.

 

I've fished below Daniel's Dam along the Patapsco for stocked trout and always thought above the dam looked fishy. I don't have any floatation device though....

 

Enjoy!

[Brad Gentner]

Rob,

Thanks for the offer. I'll have to take you up on that one day. I'm in
Silver Spring, MD. I have my own business, so I generally prefer to get
out on weekdays. Shoot me an email sometime,

Brad

[stan...@gmail.com]

Little Seneca Lake, at Black Hill Regional Park, in Germantown, is also a water supply reservoir. It is great for kayak and canoe fishing, but they don't allow float tubes.
Stan
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Brad Gentner <ang...@erols.com>
Sender: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:51:15
To: <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Suggested Locations for Float
Tube Fishing

[Joshua Vandamm]

Any place that allows boats must also allow belly boats. I think some people might confuse the two.
Belly boats your not technically touching the water but on a seat with waders and kick fins.

[Dave Stephenson]

Dan

I got a brand new belly boat last year and have yet to use it. Would be very open to checking out some waters with you. Also, any interest in salt water?

Dave
dstephe...@gmail.com

[Andrew LaVigne]

I've had to accompany my wife to a couple triathlons that have had their swims in lakes. I would have loved to had a belly boat at Centennial Lake in the Columbia, MD area - relatively clear lake with lots of weedbeds and bass. 

You might also try Burke lake in Springfield, VA - they have a little marina there, but even just wading in with the float tube to fish shoreline/coves might be interesting. 

If you're farther afield, here's a couple options: 

-Arrowhead Lake outside Luray, VA - kind of a drive, but if you're going down for a long weekend on the Shenandoah, bring the float tube and try it for a couple hours

-Lake Monocan - it's in a golf course development in the valley below Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County, set up as a swimming lake for resort guests, but I've fished it, and I think a belly boat would have helped significantly. 

[Joshua Vandamm]

Same deal. For sure man, what area are you in? I got a Cat4 in December. Itching to get out there! Might actually go tomorrow. I'm in silver spring but some places north look promising. Like warfield pond. Perfect size.

HMU any time!

Jpv...@gmail.com

[Joshua Vandamm]

If any one else wants to get their feet wet shoot me a note! Email above.

[Joshua Vandamm]

I've heard centennial lake got fished out from all the tournaments btw. :/