I have been fishing the bank and having some great success this year, but I would like to use my canoe to catch some as well.  The local reservoirs here require a permit to fish them (Tridelphia, Liberty, Rocky Gorge).  I would like to use my canoe on maybe the Potomac or Monocacy to catch some smallies, but I am relatively new to the area and don't really know of the good put-in and take-out locations.  I live in West Friendship (pretty much centrally located in the state).

Can anyone help?  Or better yet, would anyone like to join me?

You can a permit for Liberty and Pretty boy(the same permit) at MD DNR.  If you don't want to buy a permit you can go to Loch Raven, which would be a bit of a drive for you but you can rent a boat there.  If you rent you wouldn't need the permit and could just pull up and go out.

Liberty is huge and Pretty boy is nice now that the water is back up to a good level.  Worth the permit in my opinion.  Liberty also allows you to leave your boat there for free but it is first come first serve and leave at your own risk.

There is Centennial park in columbia that is fairly close to you. I think its 5 dollars to put a boat in. No smallies but theres some decent bass fishing.

Hey Guys....thanks for the info, but I have been to both Liberty (bought the permit last year) and Centennial, but still would like to do some river fishing for smallies.  I can't believe that there is no one out there who will share the put-in and take-out spots???  Oh well, I guess I will have to go exploring.

Trying to think on the monocacy, the aquaduct has a boat ramp, there is also pine cliff park in Frederick.  The potomac has a lot of different places in Montgomery, Frederick and Washington counties.

Brian...Thanks dude!  That is a great resource.

For the Potomac, check out the ramps in Brunswick and Lander. Here's an article about fishing in the Lander area:

http://www.penrodsguides.com/upper_potomac_river.htm

He also posts a fishing report evry week.

Further upstream you can put in at Shepherdstown, WV (just across the bridge from Sharpsburg). Snyder's Landing and Taylor's Landing are also close to Shrpsburg.

There is a launch ramp map on the Maryland DNR wed site

I just bought a 17' Tracker with a 50hp motor.  Is it safe to launch it in the Lander area without tearing up my prop??

This time of year, anywhere above whites ferry will eat your prop.

Dam 4 and dam 5 are good for prop engines. You should have bought

a jet..... I had a new tracker for two years and sold it for a new jet.

Was out the other night about 45 minutes before dark in 1 foot of

water and catching alot of smallies on buzz baits.

Headed out to lander today and got skunked. Am i that bad or do people actually sometimes not catch fish there cause all i hear is 20 fish days. Actually i didnt get skunked i got 2 but both were under 13incehs. Wheres the best place to fish below the falls?

Dont know if your reading Penrods stuff but I wouldnt believe it

all.I went out again the other night and had alot of bites on

buzz baits but couldnt land one.Went out a couple of days later

and could only catch bluegill. I think Landers is a little over fished

for its size of smallmouth territory. Ive read whites ferry is good.

Im gonna try some cat fishing from edwards ferry up to whites this week, I will also try a few casts for some smallmouth. Ill post the results. Charles

Have you tried Piney Run?

went to Piney Run on Thursday this week and only caught one fish early on a zara puppy.  Couldn't get anything else and left at noon.

went to Piney Run on Thursday this week and only caught one fish early on a zara puppy. Couldn't get anything else and left at noon.

You need to fish deeper there? Try a drop shot or mojo rig.

Allen