Anyone fish liberty or prettyboy?

[AesopRocks247]

Hey, I'm new to the fourm and kayaking. Liberty reservoir is in my backyard so I figured it's time to go fishing. Since bank fishing is pretty slow going I decided to grab myself a kayak. Unfortunately it's owned by the city so theyre a bunch of socialists and just want their money. Anyway, I got my permit for the city reservoirs and I'm curious if any y'all fish either of them? Let's hear your .02.

[HJS]

I rarely fish Liberty but have fished Prettyboy a lot from my canoe. I stopped going when they implemented the rule that says if you use a boat in any of the 3 Baltimore reservoirs that you can't use you boat anywhere else. I hope you knew that before getting the permit. Or maybe that restriction has changed, dunno.

That being said, both Prettyboy, Liberty and Loch Raven have heavy populations of white perch. I still fish Prettyboy and Loch Raven from shore for wperch. Pickerel in Loch Raven are also numerous and fairly easy to catch especially during May. I'll cast right in close to shore and retrieving out. On a good day a dozen or pickerel is the norm. Nice sized bluegills are also common and easy to catch when they are on their spawning beds early/mid-May.

Any Liberty has LMBass and big stripers although the stripers are difficult to catch.

[AesopRocks247]

Oh yeah I'm aware, If I do happen to go somewhere else I plan on cleaning my boat thoroughly. They have to implement those rules for irresponsible people. I got a bunch of bass and panfish lures so we'll see what I can come up with. Since its in my backyard litterally I don't really have the need to go elsewhere currently.

[HJS]

BTW, crappies (and wperch) ought to be spawning shortly in amongst the downed shore trees. It's almost a sight-fishing thing... see they and catch them. It's almost easier from shore.

[AesopRocks247]

I'm excited to get out there and start exploring. There's so much water to cover its jarring. My little neck has some nice little coves I've found from the shoreline but I've yet to get out there and get after them. It's discouraging seeing a perfect spot located all the way on the other bank that's why I decided to get a yak. I'm also in the market for a cart or dolly to save my back from lugging it down to the water. Anyone have recommendations for a good affordable set of kayak wheels ?

[bignose]

I'm a little concerned about your attitude regarding protecting our DRINKING WATER for the entire metro area possibly being impacted by invasive species, especially zebra mussels.
The rules regarding the use of craft in those 3 lakes exists for a very good reason.
Unless you can immerse your boat completely in an antiseptic solution, you're saying that you don't care about protecting the local environment.
Saying that they make the crazy rules for irresponsible people, you do not seem to realize that you have become one of them.

[AesopRocks247]

I'm a little concerned about your attitude regarding protecting our DRINKING WATER for the entire metro area possibly being impacted by invasive species, especially zebra mussels.
The rules regarding the use of craft in those 3 lakes exists for a very good reason.
Unless you can immerse your boat completely in an antiseptic solution, you're saying that you don't care about protecting the local environment.
Saying that they make the crazy rules for irresponsible people, you do not seem to realize that you have become one of them.

Uhh you're crazy, and you should keep your big nose to yourself. You really think that zebra mussels can live out of water for a week at a time baked in the sun?? Like really.. C'mon man you're insane! I never said I had my boat anywhere else but if I happen to choose, which i never really plan on ,then I would take nessascary precautions to not be an idiot. Soaking it in a solution is overboard. I would defiently wash it with soap and hot water and let it bake in the sun. I
Understand why the rules are the way that they are and im not disregarding them , but they're a little ridiculous if you have half a brain.

[bignose]

Good luck explaining that excuse to the DNR.

[Ahab]

Bignose,

The regulations may very well be necessary, I'm certainly no expert. I'm just curious why D.C. doesn't enact the same rules for their reservoirs, i.e. Rocky Gorge.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they don't as RG is my favorite largemouth spot, but I live 10 minutes from Liberty and I'd love to be able to enjoy the beauty of that body of water.

It seems to me that there needs to be a level of trust and responsibility extended to the boaters. When "rock snot" was discovered in the gunpowder they didn't shut down the fishery, but they did set up stations so that fishermen could soak their boots to help contain the problem.

I just don't see why the same type of measure could be used at the BC reservoirs.

[bignose]

It may well be an overreaction to protect us from ourselves.
And mind you, I don't disagree with the sentiment. I'd love to be able to fish the lakes in the area without restrictions. I used to fish Loch Raven frequently and haven't done so since the restrictions were implemented. I found other, better places to fish.

Why else would Maryland ban felt soles from wading shoes?
So old farts like me can slip and bust our asses all over the State?

Better in this case to err on the side of safety and prevention.
I've seen what the Zebra Mussels have done in the Great Lakes region.
Can we take the chance of it happening here? To a municipal water supply?
Is a day's worth of fishing worth it?

We can disagree about this and have discussions. We do not need to resort to name calling and insulting behavior.

[Ahab]

Everything you say is logical, but when I see that big, beautiful body of water with all of those coves and points that get virtually no fishing pressure, well, all logic falls apart.

And, you're right about the reaction from Aesop...way out of line.

Hopefully, he'll lurk a bit and discover that there is a decorum to this board that makes it fun and hospitable for all.

[mi327]

At least for Loch Raven and at Pretty Boy, they also have a rule of a minimum 12 feet length as well, even for Kayaks. Not sure of the reasoning on that, my 10 foot does well everywhere I have taken it.

[AesopRocks247]

Sorry to have offended you but, I was asking for input about the reservoirs. It seems that my attitude twards various policies isint the norm but I wasnt asking for your feelings partaining to me and my thoughts. Furthermore, your comment was irrelivant to my thread, aswell as being condescending and rude. I retaliated by making a jape at your name. I hope in the end we can all be friends.

[AesopRocks247]

At least for Loch Raven and at Pretty Boy, they also have a rule of a minimum 12 feet length as well, even for Kayaks. Not sure of the reasoning on that, my 10 foot does well everywhere I have taken it.

This rule is also pretty absurd and makes no sense. My girlfriend,(tiny little thing) couldn't handle a 12' yak and her 9.5' is plenty for her to handle. The basic thing is they would rather no one be out on the reservoirs. I saw a comment from one of the Baltimore city directors saying "these reservoirs aren't public parks". Aka "we would rather no one use these city owned lands to go out and enjoy."

[pwf]

Oh yeah I'm aware, I don't really plan on being a crazy stickler for their crazy rules. If I do happen to go somewhere else I plan on cleaning my boat thoroughly. They have to implement those rules for irresponsible people. I got a bunch of bass and panfish lures so we'll see what I can come up with. Since its in my backyard litterally I don't really have the need to go elsewhere currently.

I dont think the rules are crazy. One individual may take the precautions needed to clean his/her boat and proceed without harm. However, posting on the internet that one isn't going to be "a crazy stickler for crazy rules" will only inspire one who won't take proper precautions to proceed and screw up an ecosystem.

Used to fish Pretty boy, years ago. Lots of fish/spots. Nice place.