We all know printed fishing reports are generalized and weeks have passed before the report gets into your hands, so for timely, up-to-date reports, visit our Reports section. 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
This is the last month to chase tautog before the spring closures arrive, but most of the coast’s April headlines will likely be coming from the beaches and the bays. The much-anticipated flurry of flounder action should be happening in the coastal bays by now, and as the month progresses we can expect it to get better and better. In the surf fishing arena, meanwhile, black drum should begin a run followed by big migrating striped bass, and eventually red drum and bluefish can be expected to join in the frenzy.
FRESHWATER FISHING FORECAST
Trout stockings are in full swing in every state in the region, the shad runs should peak this month, and bass entering the pre-spawn phase can be depended on to strike — this is a red-hot month for freshwater anglers. In fact, there will be so many bites popping off it’ll be tough to decide what to focus on. Early snakeheads? Riverine smallmouth? Take your pick, people, and welcome to April!
NORTH CHESAPEAKE FISHING FORECAST
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is not legally allowed this month. Hopefully we’ll still have some white perch action going on to keep us busy, but even if these fish spawn and cruise on the early side we know we can depend on good ‘ol Mr. Catfish. Blue catfish should be chewing on just about anything fished just about anywhere and this month (well, almost always) should provide the most reliable bite around.
UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING FORECAST
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is not legally allowed this month. With a little luck, however, the white perch will still be running this month and you might encounter a few yellow stragglers as well.
MIDDLE BAY FORECAST
In all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, is not legally allowed this month. See Upper Bay, and repeat. As we get a bit farther south, however, we should be seeing the shad showing up in the rivers that still see decent runs.
LOWER BAY FORECAST
In all Maryland water, well, you know. In Virginia C&R is legit, but of course boxing the fish is not. Expect that blue catfish in the western shore tribs should provide peak action, and if you’re fishing the Potomac, Rappahannock, or James, you have a shot at hooking into a true river monster. Added bonus: from the Potomac down the shad runs should peak at some point this month, and snakeheads will always be a good spring option.
TANGIER, POCOMOKE, AND LOWER SHORE FORECAST
Same goes here for targeting of rockfish in any way, shape, or form, including catch and release, in Maryland water of the Tangier Sound. At this time of the year many anglers on the Shore head for the coast and enjoy some flounder action rather than hitting the Bay, but remember that specks often show up as early as April and reds have been caught in southern areas of the ESVA pretty much every month of the year. It may be tough to find ‘em but the rewards are spectacular, so, just how bold are you feeling?
WAY SOUTH AND VA FORECAST
In this zone you can bet the reds will be hitting by now, and if specks aren’t a thing by the beginning of April they sure should be before the month draws to a close. Remember that the earliest arrivals are often the biggest fish, so trophy hunters should be ready to act. But this being the first full month of spring there will be plenty of other early arrivals in this zone — blues and flounder should be in town before the end of April, and you can bet the tog at the CBBT will shake off their winter slumber and start smacking those crab baits.