Maryland and Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
Could spring be around the corner? The area 10-day weather forecast suggests that Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter was incorrect. While the past week brought sub-freezing temperatures to the Bay Area, which led to a challenging striper bite, we’re looking at daytime temperatures in the 40s and 50s going into the first week of March.
It’s worth noting that, beginning March 1, there are changes to catch-and-release striped bass fishing regulations in Chesapeake Bay, per Maryland DNR Regulations. Click here to view the updated regulations.
Most of the action this week was reserved to tidal portions of Bay tributaries where there’s open water. Anglers fishing the mouths of rivers like the Susquehanna are still catching yellow perch as they stack up for the spring spawning run. Others are catching pickerel, catfish, and panfish like crappie in areas free of ice.
From Ocean City, Taylor Bakke of Always Bent Fishing OC reported that it was a quiet week on the fishing front around Ocean City. Most boats have remained at the dock. Shore fishermen have been the only ones getting out. He mentioned that there anglers are catching some catfish and and crappie down in the Pocomoke River, but that’s about all that’s happening locally as they wait for a solid stretch of mild weather.
Captain Jamie Clough of Eastern Shore Light Tackle Charters in Chester shared that he hasn’t been out this week due to below-freezing temps, but he has a couple striper trips planned for this weekend and a fair amount of availability next week. With mild weather ahead, the bite should pick up where it left off. Check out their Facebook page for availability if you want to get in on the action.
Captain Walt of Light Tackle Charters in Crisfield said the river is frozen over where he’d usually be running light-tackle trips for perch, crappie, and pickerel. But, with warm weather ahead, fishing should be good once everything thaws. Give him a shout to inquire about upcoming availability.
Anglers Sport Center Fishing Report – Annapolis, MD
The Anglers Sport Center fishing report is written by Anglers Fishing Manager & OTW Columnist, Alex Gallardo-Perez.
Anglers continue to enjoy the hot action on the yellow perch grounds right at the mouth of the Susquehanna River—most are still catching limits on live minnows and small jigs. Some of the areas on the Eastern Shore have also begun to see perch moving in. Anglers are catching some them around Denton on the Choptank River and Millington on the Chester River. It is not a red hot bite, but some fish have been staying in deeper holes around those areas, indicating that they are waiting to move up to spawn within the next few weeks once the weather warms up.
Striped bass fishing was good until the wind picked up, which has kept most boaters from going out. Plus, exceptionally low tides actually make it impossible for some to leave the dock or launch. Before the weather, anglers were finding most of the fish near the gas docks and Calvert Cliffs Power Plant. Next week looks great with higher temperatures and low winds, which should make it a good time for anglers to get back to fishing for striped bass.
The Anglers Sport Center fishing report is written by Anglers Fishing Manager & OTW Columnist, Alex Gallardo-Perez.
Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast
With some rivers still frozen after frigid temperatures swept the Chesapeake Bay Area, and dangerously low tides hindering many boats from leaving their winter slips and boat launches, it was a slow week for Maryland anglers. However, next week looks warm and inviting by late-February standards, and anglers are anticipating a good striped bass bite as a result. Others are looking to the ocean in hopes of tying into a few tautog on the offshore reef sites. But for now, the best bite going is the yellow perch run. Grab some micro soft plastics and/or live minnows, and head to your perch honey hole to bend a rod before conditions begin to heat up.