Fishing reports published in print are generalized and weeks may have passed before the report gets into your hands, so for timely up-to-date reports, visit our Fishing Reports online. Current reports will be published every Friday by noon — just in time for your weekend fishing adventures. In the meantime, here’s our monthly prognostication.
Coastal Fishing Forecast
There aren’t many times of year when fishing on the beach and in the bays is likely to produce bigger catches than long offshore runs out into the ocean will, but April is one of ‘em. This month we should see big drum blasting baits cast from the beach, with a few stripers showing up as well when they stop for a bite or two on their way north. By the month’s end bluefish should be in the mix, too. Expect tautog to be biting sand fleas and crab baits fished around inlet rocks. And the much-awaited run of flounder will almost certainly take off at some point during April in the coastal bays.
Freshwater Fishing Forecast
April is such a big month for freshwater anglers that we’re not even sure which fishery deserves top billing. Some anglers would point to trout, as spring stocking is in full swing. Others will be heading for the reservoirs, where many species are in pre-spawn patterns as they engage in a post-winter feeding frenzy. Yet others might be focused on the shad runs taking place in the Bay’s tributaries. And then there are the snakehead finaddicts, who are sure to hit the water as soon as we get some warm, sunny afternoons.
Way North Fishing Forecast
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake: remember folks, no targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is legally allowed this month.
If the past is any indication, this month we’ll be seeing a mix of white perch and catfish dominating the attention of area anglers with much of the focus on the Susquehanna. Of course, weather is a big player and the level of spring rainfall can be make or break. If the waters get riled, remember that some of the smaller tribs in this zone (like the Bush and Elk) can offer great fishing, too, and don’t get mucked up quite as easily.
Upper Bay Fishing Forecast
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake: remember folks, no targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is legally allowed this month.
Get in your last licks on the perch run, because by the time April turns into May it’ll be ancient history. Early in the month there should still be plenty of whites in the tribs and salt ponds, plus a few straggler yellows you might encounter as they head back downstream.
Middle Bay Fishing Forecast
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake: remember folks, no targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is legally allowed this month.
White perch will be the main target in this area as well, with shad running in the rivers that see ‘em producing another option to consider. As it warms up the snakeheads will be getting back into action, too — and need we mention the every-present catfish?
Lower Bay Fishing Forecast
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake: remember folks, no targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is legally allowed this month. In the Potomac and Virginia waters, you’re still allowed to go have some fun but all rockfish must be released.
As the perch run winds down in the lower Bay tribs a bit earlier than it does in the tribs up north, the shad runs crank up a bit earlier. Plus, from the Potomac south the shad are usually available in better numbers. Still, the big April winners are the blue catfish anglers. Huge numbers and huge specimens are often captured at this time of year so get your circle hooks and seek out some fresh cut bait.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Forecast
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake: remember folks, no targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is legally allowed this month.
At some point later this month we’ll likely hear the first reports of speckled trout and redfish from the Sounds and ESVA waters. And we’ll also be hearing about flounder in the coastal bays, which will draw many of the area anglers to head east. But the biggest draw of all will likely be the lower Eastern Shore snakeheads. As the waters warm up, expect them to start popping!
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Forecast
Anglers living near the mouth of the Chesapeake will have a LOT to celebrate this month—while everyone to the north will still be waiting for summer visitors to arrive, redfish and speckled trout can be counted on to provide some action in the inlets and southern Chesapeake river-mouths and bays. Tog should come back to life in this zone too, just as soon as water temps climb north. And by the end of April we’ll likely see a bluefish or two plus flounder return to these waters as well.