Spring fishing conditions across Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region are providing excellent opportunities for anglers this week, with water temperatures stabilizing around 60 degrees and multiple species actively feeding.
As Earth Day and Arbor Day arrive this month, fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to reflect on conservation efforts while enjoying outdoor opportunities. Anglers can contribute by picking up discarded fishing line and trash during their trips.
Current Conditions Through April 28
Buoy data shows main Bay surface temperatures and river mouth areas maintaining 60-degree readings. Smaller waterways are also holding in the 60s, though protected coves and downwind areas on sunny days often reach the upper 60s – perfect conditions for hickory shad, which prefer the 55-65 degree range during their spawning period over the next two weeks.
Most Maryland rivers and streams are experiencing below-normal flow levels. Water clarity remains typical across most Bay areas and tributaries, though algal blooms are reducing visibility along the western shore from Bush River down to the Patapsco, and near the Chester River mouth on the Eastern Shore.
Tuesday will bring stronger tidal movements due to the approaching full moon on May 1.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Action
Low flows in the Susquehanna River are actually benefiting anglers this week, creating clearer and warmer conditions due to reduced dam releases. While the area above a line from Abby Point to Worton Point remains closed for striped bass catch-and-release, other species are providing plenty of action.
Hickory shad are being caught throughout the Susquehanna up to Conowingo Dam, at Deer Creek’s mouth, and in Octoraro Creek. Small flashy spoons in gold and silver, colorful shad darts, and bright sinking flies are proving effective.
Small male white perch are beginning to enter the Susquehanna, with numbers expected to increase over the next week before larger females arrive. The developing grass beds on Susquehanna Flats are attracting largemouth bass and Chesapeake Channa near their edges.
Blue catfish and flathead catfish fishing remains strong near the dam, with blue cats also found near river mouths including the Susquehanna, Elk, Chester, and Gunpowder. Elevated salinity levels due to lack of rainfall make river mouths particularly promising for large blue catfish. Cut bait including gizzard shad, menhaden, or white perch works well, as do chicken liver and scented baits.
Anglers targeting blue catfish from Sandy Point State Park beach should wear knee boots and use circle hooks to properly release any accidentally caught striped bass without compromising their protective slime layer.
Catch-and-release striped bass opportunities exist along main channel edges for trolling large bucktails and sassy shad lures, or jigging when fish appear on depth finders. River mouths, Love Point rocks, and Bay Bridge piers are productive spots for casting paddletails and soft plastic jigs.
Middle Bay Report
Large post-spawn striped bass are leaving the Choptank River in increasing numbers this week. Upper Choptank temperatures peaked at 68 degrees last week before cooling slightly, while main Bay waters hold at 60 degrees. Spawning activity concluded last Saturday, with those fish now moving toward middle and lower Bay regions.
Trolling along main channel edges remains popular, but shallower waters shouldn’t be overlooked. Chartreuse bucktails with sassy shads and 6-inch soft plastic jigs are favorites when fish are visible on electronics. Schools of menhaden often indicate nearby striped bass.
Beginning May 1, anglers will be able to keep striped bass measuring 19-24 inches in areas below the Brewerton Channel south to Virginia waters, excluding tidal rivers.
White perch are moving down from spawning areas and spreading to summer habitats around tidal rivers and creeks. They’re typically in deeper water during this transition, making bottom rigs with grass shrimp, minnows, or bloodworm pieces effective. Anglers should note that small blue catfish in the 10-14 inch range are present in the Choptank and should be properly disposed of rather than released.
April provides excellent blue catfish opportunities in the Choptank, with ideal water temperatures encouraging movement from deep channels to nearby shelves and shallower areas. The stretch from Dover Bridge to Denton, and up the Tuckahoe past Route 328 Bridge, offer prime fishing. Cut bait, live small white perch, bluegill, large minnows, and scented baits all produce results.
Lower Bay Conditions
Post-spawn striped bass are exiting the Choptank, Nanticoke, Patuxent, and Potomac rivers this week, heading south toward the ocean. Their movement may pause only for the menhaden schools that have entered the lower Bay region – finding these baitfish schools is key to locating striped bass.
Menhaden schools often move with swift currents along channel edges but can also be found in shallower waters. Trolling and jigging along channel edges is extremely popular, while shallower Bay shores offer light tackle opportunities for casting various lures at passing striped bass.
Hickory shad fishing continues to excel in the Potomac River within Washington D.C. and Mason Branch of Mattawoman Creek. American shad are also beginning to appear in the Potomac’s deeper waters for anglers using larger shad darts.
White perch moving down spawning rivers on both Bay sides are providing entertaining fishing as they head to summer habitats. These fish are likely in deeper water during their downstream movement, making small jig heads and bottom rigs with grass shrimp or bloodworms preferred methods.
Blue catfish are extremely active in ideal water temperatures this month. Prime locations include the Potomac from Route 301 Bridge to Wilson Bridge, the Patuxent from Benedict to Jug Bay, and the Sharptown/Marshyhope section of the Nanticoke. Increasing numbers are being reported in the Wicomico and Pocomoke rivers.
Freshwater Opportunities
Trout fishing remains excellent in put-and-take management waters with weekly stockings continuing. Delayed harvest and catch-and-release waters in central and western regions offer opportunities for anglers preferring to release their catch.
Deep Creek Lake’s 51-degree water temperature is supporting diverse fishing for bluegills, pickerel, and largemouth bass moving into warmer, shallower coves – great for bank and wading anglers. Largemouth bass are positioning near structure like fallen treetops. Walleye season opened April 15 with a 15-inch minimum, five-fish daily limit, and 18-21 inch protected slot.
Upper Potomac River flows are very low with smallmouth bass spawning activity occurring. Largemouth bass are transitioning from pre-spawn behavior to entering shallow spawning areas where males have prepared nests. Female largemouth bass can be found in transition areas outside shallow spawning sites. Spinnerbaits, paddletails, jerkbaits, stick worms, crankbaits, and soft plastics are all effective choices.
Chesapeake Channa (northern snakeheads) are becoming more active as temperatures warm, with sunny afternoons offering the best opportunities on shallow, sun-exposed shores. White paddletails are currently the most popular lure choice, while dead-sticking large minnows under bobbers provides additional action.
Crappie have completed spawning in most areas and are now holding near shoreline structure, marina docks, and bridge piers. Various sunfish species are moving into shallower waters, providing excellent light tackle and fly-fishing opportunities.
Ocean and Coastal Bay Action
Surf anglers are experiencing outstanding black drum fishing along Assateague beaches this week. Sand fleas, peeler crab, and clams make effective baits. Dogfish and clearnose skates are also common in the mix – larger dogfish provide excellent smoked or fried nugget meat, though those with pups may need milk soaking to reduce ammonia levels. Striped bass moving up the coast are also being caught, with a one-fish daily limit at 28-31 inches.
Flounder continue moving through Ocean City Inlet, providing good fishing in the inlet and connecting channels. Tautog are being caught near rocks, bulkheads, docks, and bridge piers in the inlet and Route 50 Bridge areas, with sand fleas being the most popular bait.
Striped bass fishing offers excellent action in the inlet area and around Route 90 and Verrazzano Bridge piers. Paddletails and soft plastic jigs are the most popular methods, though most action is catch-and-release due to the 28-inch minimum size.
Charter and private boats venturing to inshore and offshore wreck and reef sites are finding good tautog fishing, with flounder also in the mix.
Public notices have been issued for the 2026 black sea bass and summer flounder seasons.
