Our timely, up-to-date Fishing Reports are delivered via email and the interwebs every Friday by noon, just in time for weekend fishing adventures. Meanwhile, here's our forecast for the upcoming month of angling based on the recent weather patterns and what we've seen on a month-by-month basis looking back at our eight years of weekly fishing reports. Let's hope the fishing in 2026 starts off with a bang!
COASTAL FISHING FORECAST
January always has one good bet along the Mid-Atlantic coast: tautog should be biting on the wrecks and reefs. When the weather is good enough to push out through the inlet grab those green crabs and white-leggers and let them sit motionless on the structure. There may even be some tog still biting early this month at inlet rocks and the CBBT depending on the water temps, but once they drop into the mid-40s you can expect the bite to slow and then cease altogether. Winter stripers are a possibility, too, depending on just where the fish decide to go this January. There's also a chance bluefin tuna will be around, but we'll have to see if they open that season back up. Stay tuned!
FRESHWATER FISHING FORECAST
Now that the depths of winter are here many Mid-Atlantic anglers who fish year-round will be hoping for open water, or at least skim ice thin enough to break through. Remember that the Eastern Shore millponds and tributaries tend to remain ice-free longer than the freshwater ponds and lakes on the Western Shore. If it freezes up hard, on the other hand, we may get a window of opportunity with safe ice fishing on the western lakes. Are you ready to start drilling holes and rigging tip-ups? Remember, three inches of solid (clear) ice is the bare minimum for ice fishing and if the ice is cloudy (thanks to air bubbles) you need four inches.
WAY NORTH FISHING FORECAST
It’s time to head for the deep holes and channels in the lower Susquehanna, where yellow perch should be stacking up this month. Yes, bringing minnow does help… a lot. Meanwhile, if you want a bigger bend in the rod try dropping some cut bait to the bottom and wait for the blue cats to show up, because they’ll keep biting right through the winter.
UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING FORECAST
Yellow perch and pickerel should be biting in the tribs on darts with minnow, just as long as the waters remain ice-free. Anglers in the CCA Winter Pickerel Championship will want to think about hitting the creeks near Baltimore, which regularly produce some whoppers throughout the winter.
MIDDLE BAY FORECAST
The tribs may hold some panfish and pickerel action this month (with the east side generally out-catching the west side by a mile at this time of year), but out on the main Bay there’s only one option left: hitting the Calvert Cliffs warm water discharge. There should be a few rockfish around and maybe a speckled trout or two, just remember to pick your weather carefully, bundle up tight, and be careful out there.
LOWER BAY FORECAST
Mega-cats, anyone? The Potomac, Rappahannock, and James will all hold opportunity for those who find a hole or channel edge with some structure, and put baits on bottom until a rod bends over. As for winter specks and cold weather redfish, it’s always a possibility but considering how their numbers were through the fall a trip farther south is likely the move.
TANGIER, POCOMOKE, AND LOWER SHORE FORECAST
The tributaries in this neck of the woods provide one of the most reliable winter fisheries around, with a glorious mix of bass, crappie, pickerel, and perch. Added bonus: ice is less likely to styme your efforts thanks to the tides. You can catch ‘em on lures but at this time of year hauling minnow is the best bet for success.
WAY SOUTH AND VA FORECAST
There’s a prospect for some jumbo stripers to be around this month as well as the potential for tog, but it all depends on just how cold it gets and just how fast that happens. If we enjoy milder temps it should be possible to locate some winter reds and/or specks, too. Expect Rudee, Lynnhaven, and the Elizabeth to be good prospects.
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