Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update 2/23/2018:
The Tackle Box is reporting that the strong run of yellow perch in the Potomac continues, however, this is being overshadowed by the sheer number of catfish swimming in the river’s muddy waters. The Tackle Box said that dropping down a bait near a channel ledge or hole in the river and the tributary creeks is a sure way to pick up a big cat. Even if they aren't the best for eating, they sure put up a good fight, making for some exciting fishing. Meanwhile, anglers after the ring perch are finding they’re still hanging out in the holes and channels in pre-spawn territories. Occoquan, Nanjemoy, and Mattawoman continue to be top producing creeks for the yellow perch and reports from these areas have also included scattered crappie and an oddball bass here and there being caught by accident when fish move shallower with a high tide and hitting the shorelines becomes effective.
Another option for area fishermen who want a meal is to head for freshwater and try St. Mary's Lake or one of the recently stocked trout ponds; see the Freshwater report for more detail. A few anglers looking for catch-and-release rockfish have been heading to the CCNPP, but recently most of the fish reported there have been relatively small. (Of course, this can change on a day-to-day basis). We also heard one report of some (slow) catch-and-release action at the 301 bridge.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update 2/15/2018:
Yellow perch fishing in local rivers such as the Potomac has picked up, as well as the amount of catfish being caught in the channels. Most anglers have been enjoying fishing close to home, as yellow perch have been near shore in shallow waters. Some action has continued on the lake front, especially at St. Mary's where pickerel and perch have been abundant. As water begins to warm up this spring, we look to see more flounder moving in the area and rockfish picking back up.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update 2/8/2018:
Many saltwater anglers have reverted to freshwater action, as St. Mary's Lake has provided some excellent action. Using jigs, minnow, and crawlers, most guys have been heading to depths of around 20 feet, where crappie and bass have been hanging out. Pickerel have also been caught, in shallower water. See the Freshwater reports for more info. Outside the lake, the Tackle Box reports that there isn’t a ton going on but fishing the Calvert Cliffs warm water output has provided some catch and release rockfish action. Just remember to use barbless hooks in the offseason.
The other area action can be found in the tidal creeks off the Potomac, where yellow perch are staging in pre-spawn areas. The Occoquan, Nanjemoy, Mattawoman, and Aquia are all good options. Read Winter Yellow Perch Fishing at Tidal Creeks for a refresher on the best tactics.
February 2018 Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
Now that the Potomac is free of ice cover again, J & W is reporting that anglers who headed out on the water this week during the wind and cold didn't have to go very far for some good crappie and perch fishing. Hotspots have been in the tidal creeks off the main river, such as Mattawoman, Nanjemoy, Port Tobacco, Machodoc, and Aquia. Crappie have been close to shore, typically in about eight feet of water. Little pink, orange, and chartreuse shad darts are working pretty well, especially when fished with bull minnow. Perch have been mixed in with the catch and in the next few weeks their numbers should only increase.
Meanwhile, reader Eric Packard was kind enough to report that pickerel and bass were biting in St. Mary's Lake. Yes, we know that's a freshwater lake and this probably belongs in the Freshwater Reports. But we're also pretty sure that Southern Maryland and northern Virginia anglers who fish the lower Bay will want to know about it. Same goes for the tidal blue catfish bite, which has been steady in the Potomac from Fort Washington up. As usual, cut fish or chicken livers fished deep in holes and channel edges are the best bet.