Remember, folks, this is a forecast as opposed to a current report, which is built from looking back at the past eight years of FishTalk's reports, so for current reports please visit our Reports section which is updated weekly. Current reports will be published every Friday by noon and you can sign up for our email list to get an alert as they publish (it's free), should you so desire.
COASTAL FISHING FORECAST
Coastal angling should wake up this month with numerous options. As the waters warm tautog action can be expected to pick up, stripers should be biting in the back-bays, and chances are some early black drum will begin showing up along the beaches this month. The big harbinger of spring for many people, however, is the flounder. Catching them in March may be tough but there’s little doubt that a few flatties will begin showing up in the inlets and bays well before April arrives. Look for the cleanest, warmest water around and try to target an outgoing tide for the best results.
FRESHWATER FISHING FORECAST
March is a magnificent month for sweetwater action, with everything from bass to crappie to bluegills putting on the feedbag. Trout stocking crews will be very, very busy, and in the tidal headwaters white perch can be counted on to provide plenty of action. Don’t forget about those shad, too, because at some point (usually mid-month) they’ll be showing up in the rivers and creeks. Expect a trickle, then a handful, and then hordes of fish to provide fast action on your darts and mini-spoons.
WAY NORTH CHESAPEAKE FISHING FORECAST
Many anglers in this zone will be enjoying excellent yellow perch action this month, but the shad should show up here at some point, too. Expect their appearance to run a week or two behind their first sightings in Lower Bay tribs. Meanwhile, there’s potential to catch and release the fish of a lifetime, with one month of C&R angling for rockfish on the Flats. You only have until the 31st, so act fast if you want to get in on that action.
UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING FORECAST
You can enjoy some catch and release striper fishing in the Upper Bay this month, but most of the action will likely take place up on the Flats or down south. Perch, on the other hand, will be a solid target in the tribs. If you really want to catch something bigger—something much bigger—consider heading for channel edges with 15’ to 25’ of water and sinking cut bait to the bottom. Last spring, blue catfish ranging up into the 40-pound class were a highlight.
MIDDLE BAY FORECAST
The perch should be running strong in most of the tribs, and this will likely be the main focus for anglers looking to take home dinner. For those who are not, targeting catch-and-release rockfish can produce some epic angling events this month. And don’t forget about those pickerel; in many of the rivers they’ll be feeding hard as they get ready for the spring spawn. While most folks release pickerel, if you plan on weeding out the bones and frying one up, remember that March 14 through May 1 is a closed season on this species.
LOWER BAY FORECAST
Perch & cats! Perch & cats! Perch & cats! Oh, and shad are arriving this month, too. The Lower Bay tribs will see all this action accelerated by a week or two as compared to northern rivers, so get ready to go fishing asap.
TANGIER, POCOMOKE, AND LOWER SHORE FORECAST
Going up the tribs will be the move here, too, as March begins and the Sounds remain fairly quiet. If this year is like last year, however, before March is through some big black drum will show up in the Sounds. Bait up with crab, people, that’s what those fish are coming for.
WAY SOUTH AND VA FORECAST
Just how hard-hit will the speckled trout population be, considering the cold blasts we suffered through this winter? At this point it’s hard to say, but it should be possible to pick up a few of these fish as the weather begins breaking. Redfish should be a surer bet, especially on warm, sunny afternoons. Depending on what the weather does, tog, black drum, and flounder will all be possible targets this month, too.
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