History - Perhaps
no other Maryland trout stream has as much history as Big
Hunting Creek. Big Hunting Creek was one of the first streams
in the State to be stocked with trout. It was also the first
stream to be designated a fly-fishing-only stream and in the
early 1960's became the State's first Catch-and-Return Trout
Fishing Area. Big Hunting Creek has been popular with angling
Presidents, noted authors, fly fishing enthusiasts and park
visitors who enjoy viewing trout in a natural mountain
setting. A streamside memorial to the late Joe Brooks can be
found across from the National Park Visitor
Center.
The entire stream within the State
and Federal parks was declared a Catch-and-Return, Fly-Fishing-Only
Trout Fishing Area in 1974. All stocking upstream of Cunningham
Falls Reservoir was discontinued in 1975 to encourage the
development of the wild trout populations. Initial efforts to
manage the wild trout populations within the tailwater began in
1977 with the reduction of the hatchery trout allocation to
fifteen-hundred annually and the discontinuance of all brown trout
stocking. A comprehensive fishery management plan was developed
during 1993, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department
of Natural Resources, Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin
Mountain National Park and various publics who share an interest in
the welfare of Big Hunting Creek. Currently, the annual stocking
allocation is a total of one-thousand brook and rainbow
trout.
Physical/ Habitat Description
- In spite of its name, Big Hunting Creek can be
characterized as a small, freestone stream. Just ten feet wide
in the headwaters above Cunningham Falls and seventeen to
twenty feet in width at the lower park boundary, anglers will
find varied habitat shaded by large hemlocks and hardwoods
throughout. Shallow riffles, small plunge pools, long runs and
ample pocket-water with many large boulders continually
challenge fly casters. The upper one-third of the tailwater
has a gentle gradient with slow runs and a meandering channel.
Further downstream the gradient increases with an abundance of
plunge pools and pocket water. A local group, Friends of Big
Hunting Creek, has installed several rock and log structures
aimed at improving holding water for trout during low flows.
Some anglers, however, argue the controversial artificial
structures detract from the natural surroundings. Whatever
your preference in small stream habitat or whether you prefer
wild or stocked trout, Big Hunting Creek has something to
offer most fly fishermen.
Fish Species
- Big Hunting Creek supports one
of the strongest populations of wild brown trout in the State.
Brown trout are found throughout the watershed from the tiny
headwaters downstream through the town of Thurmont. During the
last ten years (1992-2001), the mean brown trout standing
crops have ranged from 110 pounds/acre above Cunningham Falls
to 68 pounds/acre in the tailwater. Although some of the brown
trout will reach fifteen inches, the majority is less than
twelve. Wild brook trout are limited to Hauver Branch and Big
Hunting Creek upstream of Cunningham Falls Reservoir; no trout
are stocked in these areas.
Two organizations, the Potomac Valley Fly Fishermen
and the Maryland Fly Anglers, raise or purchase rainbow and
brook trout, respectively, and stock the Big Hunting Creek
tailwater each spring as part of the Co-operative Trout
Rearing Program. Many of these hatchery fish will weigh more
than a pound offering anglers variety and the chance to catch
a large trout.
Restrictions
- Big Hunting Creek and its tributaries within
Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain National
Park are restricted to catch-and-release, fly-fishing-only
restrictions. Please consult the Maryland Freshwater Sport
Fishing Guide for
details.