Even being surrounded by the City of Salisbury on all sides, Johnsons Pond has a well deserved reputation as a productive fishery. With much of the pond’s shoreline lined with trees, casting your fly towards these shallow-waters, particularly where there are lily pads, brush or other structure in the water, will lead to some strikes by hungry fish. You can also cast to tree falls, points of land, and submerged cedar trees especially along the west side of the pond to greatly increase your chances for another tug on the end of your line.  

The menu of fish species that include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, and chain pickerel will provide for year-round fly fishing opportunities here on the lower Eastern Shore. And given it’s close proximity to Route 50, the ease of access is just one more reason to fly fish at Johnsons Pond on the Eastern Shore.

Site Location

Johnsons Pond is located right in Salisbury, Maryland in Wicomico County on the Eastern Shore.

Address

Rose Street Boat Ramp 400 Rose Street, Salisbury, MD 21801

How to Get There

From Route 50 heading south on the Eastern Shore towards Salisbury, Maryland, take the exit on Route 50 business towards Salisbury. Once you enter the City of Salisbury, take a left turn onto Booth Street and then a right turn onto Lake Street followed by a left turn onto Rose Street which takes you right to the parking lot for the boat ramp.

Parking & Launching

There is a paved parking area at Rose Street Boat Ramp. You can launch your boat from the concrete launch ramp at the Rose Street Boat located at 400 Rose Street Salisbury, MD 21801.

Where to Fish & How

You can fish along the shoreline, but for the best fly fishing experience, fishing from a boat is recommended. Fish tree falls, points, and submerged cedar trees are great targets—especially along the west side of the pond. In the spring, you can catch crappie, chain pickerel, largemouth bass near points and around tree falls and other submerged cover. During the summer, largemouth bass and  sunfish will be near bedding areas in upper reaches of the pond. In the fall, cast for largemouth bass, sunfish and crappie near points and around tree falls and other submerged cover. In the winter, chain pickerel can be found in the shallow waters.

What to Catch 

Spring: Crappie, chain pickerel and largemouth Bass

Summer: Largemouth bass and sunfish

Fall: Largemouth bass, sunfish and crappie 

Winter: Chain pickerel and occasional largemouth bass

What to Fish & How

Recommend using a 3 to 5 weight fly rod for crappie and sunfish and a 5 to 8 weight fly rod for bass and chain pickerel. Minnow patterns work well in winter and spring while poppers are great in summer.

Fly Fishing Organizations

Connect with local fly fishing organizations to learn about mentoring opportunities and to connect with others interested in fly fishing.