Raystown Lake down 7 ft in 29 days

Why it matters

A falling lake pulls fish off the banks toward points and channel edges, exposes hazards, and can leave the shallow end of a ramp in the mud. Late fall at this latitude is a season of short, strong feeding windows.

Raystown Lake covers about 8,300 acres at full pool. It runs around 200 ft at its deepest.

The fish

Striped bass on Raystown Lake are in their comfort zone. Stripers and white bass chase shad hard as the water cools, often busting bait at the surface. Smallmouth bass are hit or miss. Smallmouth handle cool water well; the 50s often bring some of the biggest fish of the year onto rocky points.

Know before you go

• Go Friday, 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm: the best-rated bite day (good).
• Start at the wind-blown bank on the map: jig and minnow or crankbait along the edge.
• Wear the life jacket: 55°F water takes your breath away if you fall in.

One spot to try

Our pick to start on Raystown Lake is a wind-blown bank, marked on the map. Today's northwest wind pushes bait into this bank across open water. Expect walleye and striped bass there; jig and minnow or crankbait along the edge.

DamDeepest water N 2 miles

Shallow to deep Free spot todayPlace to stay

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