What's the scoop on Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett Reservoirs

[russ498]

Are these two reservoirs worth the $70 price of admission? They claim to have a pretty nice variety of fish. Are they overcrowded and overfished? It is an easy forty-five minute drive from my house in Pasadena and I was looking for a nice freshwater spot.

[Jaspratt]

I only fished rocky gorge. I've caught some and lost some nice bass out of there. It can be hard to figure out in the summer, but top water for schoolies is always fun. Good numbers of white perch too. I herd triadelphia is better than the gorge but never fished it. If you go atleast 10 times during the season you will get your money's worth.

[Turtle135]

Those lake are not open to boats until April 1st. You can also just purchase a daily use permit here:

https://secure.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/login/login.faces

I think it was $ 6.00 to $ 7.00 last year.

The problem with both reservoirs is that neither have any vegetation. So while there are some really nice bass in there they can be hard to locate as the population is not huge. I've had better luck at Rocky Gorge (and less crowded at the upper end).

[DanMarino]

Search this website for my posts. I docomented all of my trips to Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge last year and posted some photos. I live a mile from Triadelphia so the annual permit is worth it for me. I fish both reservoirs when I only have time for quick trips. In my opinion you will catch more bass if you go to the tidal Potomac for largemouth or the upper Potomac for smallmouth. There are big fish in both reservoirs but I need to work hard for them. There are times where I have the whole reservoir to myself.

[chimo]

Only fished Rocky Gorge last year. Caught a few decent fish but nothing spectacular. I would need to spend a lot more time there to figure it out. I've got some buddies who say the crappie spawn can be spectacular but haven't seen it myself. The whole April - Nov or whenever its open kinda puts me off too but the upper end is a nice paddle.

[DanMarino]

I will also add that it is not unusual to get skunked at these places. 2012 was the first year that I avoided a skunking at Triadelphia. The lakes never seem crowded to me and you will be surrounded by trees the whole time so they are peaceful and beautiful places to fish. I catch way more bass on the Potomac river though.

[russ498]

I will also add that it is not unusual to get skunked at these places. 2012 was the first year that I avoided a skunking at Triadelphia. The lakes never seem crowded to me and you will be surrounded by trees the whole time so they are peaceful and beautiful places to fish. I catch way more bass on the Potomac river though.

What about variety? I don't usually target bass. I am more interested in Walleye, cats, perch and crappie.

[DanMarino]

What about variety? I don't usually target bass. I am more interested in Walleye, cats, perch and crappie.

Look at my posts from last year at Triadelphia. You will see photos of largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, white perch, yellow perch, and crappie. I was targeting walleyes all year long at Triadelphia and caught none.

[gafisherman]

Look at my posts from last year at Triadelphia. You will see photos of largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, white perch, yellow perch, and crappie. I was targeting walleyes all year long at Triadelphia and caught none.

Hey, I live really close to Triadelphia and Duckett. I am only 2 minutes from the Supplee Park, so maybe we can go out together this year!

[Runnin]

I used to live about 15 minutes from Triadelphia. I can second the comment that there are some really good fish there. You need to be on your game though. There are some well defined creek channels in the arms, and points - drop-offs that hold fish. There's very little in shoreline cover that is obvious. A good depth finder can help find rock piles and things in the water. It is not easy to fish but can be rewarding at times. I've personally caught Crappie, Pickerel, Northerns, SM Bass, LM bass, Bluegill,(and some kind of white perch /shad looking thing) and Channel catfish out of Triadelphia. I believe there are walleye, carp, and stripers in their also but I've not caught one.

Notherns like the coves in the early spring season. Fish rattletraps or spinnerbaits and you can do well.

Season there starts the 15th.

[sparky1423]

Where is the best place to launch into Triadelphia? I work in the area and familiar with Brighton dam Road, just never been to the actual reservoir. Is the building for the permits close to the launch site?

[Goody]

Spark let me know if you head over there, I'm pretty close to it.

[Runnin]

Where is the best place to launch into Triadelphia? I work in the area and familiar with Brighton dam Road, just never been to the actual reservoir. Is the building for the permits close to the launch site?

There are two spots I used frequently. Off Rt 97 (Georgia ave.) north of Olney there is Triadelphia Rd recreation area. There is a fishing pier, and a launch ramp that is excellent. The other ramp I used was on Greenbridge Rd. That is off of New Hampshire Avenue. The road dead ends at the ramp. The park office at Brighton dam where you buy permits isn't really close to either of these spots. Makes it inconvenient to get day passes. I always just bought the season permit.

[DanMarino]

I prefer to launch on the Howard County side of the reservoir. Once you get a map from the log cabin, you will see the ramps listed. When water levels get really low in the fall, the Greenbridge Road ramp is typically the only one open. That ramp can be very busy on weekends.

If all goes well I'll be out on Triadelphia with my son this weekend.

[J Bass]

I have pulled some big bass outta both, mostly Tri, but seen one throw my buddy's hook that woulda gone at least 7 lbs.... But yes, they can be a PITA and VERY tough to fish... Without a depth finder, even harder.... I like em both