Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 27 Update:
As we head into March, anglers should be aware of the striped bass closure areas in Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Catch and release fishing for striped bass is still allowed, but many tributaries have no target closures during the month of March. This includes just about all the creeks and bays on the main stem of the Potomac on the Maryland side of the river. Anglers should look at the Maryland DNR striped bass spawning maps to see when and where they can target stripers in Maryland waters. Waters governed by Virginia, D.C., and PRFC do not have any no target closures. We have not heard many reports of striped bass action from the Potomac, but we usually see the spawning migration start in March. FishTalk contributor Eric Packard spent some time this week kayak fishing on the Potomac for striped bass. He did not name the locations he fished, but said one day produced a skunk and another day yielded three stripers up to 30 inches along with a few bigger fish that popped off the hook next to the kayak.
Along with striped bass, we will soon see other anadromous species return to the tributaries of the Lower Bay. This includes American shad, hickory shad, and river herring. The shad run usually starts in mid-March, give or take a few weeks depending on the year, but will be in full swing by April. The rivers that see the largest spawning runs include the York, Rappahannock, and Potomac. Stock up on small spoons and shad darts in various colors because the shad can be picky from day to day. While we wait for the spring spawning runs to kick off, blue catfish will offer ample opportunities for those looking to bend a rod. We have been getting good reports from the Hopewell area of the James River. The James is known for producing big fish, and spring is one of the best times of year to catch them. There was also a report from a boat fishing on the Upper Rappahannock that landed a 17, 33, and 38-pound blue catfish. The stretch of river between Hopyard Landing and Fredericksburg is a productive area to fish for catfish along with the various species that push up the river to spawn. On the Potomac River, the good news is that there have been no new spills from the Potomac Interceptor leak. DC Health announced that the advisory recommending people avoid contact with the river will be lifted on Monday, March 2nd. That will mark three weeks since the last overflow event. The good news is that there has been consistent testing since the spill, and the most recent data shows normal levels of E. coli. The contaminated water has likely been flushed out of the area from recent rain events. Hopefully there won’t be any long-lasting impacts, but only time will tell. There are a lot of great fisheries to look forward to in the Lower Bay with spring on the horizon.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
The elephant in the room is the Potomac River witnessed one of the worst sewage spills in the country’s history at the end of January due to a rupture of the Potomac Interceptor that originated near lock 10 on the upper Potomac. Since then, there have been a few overflow events that have caused more untreated wastewater to be released into the river. The spill has now been contained and there is not an active flow of raw sewage into the river. There is no telling what the long-term environmental effects of this will be, but for right now, the Department of Energy and Environment in D.C. is advising people to avoid fishing or recreating on the river. Maryland DNR and PRFC do not have any finfish closures in effect on the Potomac River at the moment. Water quality samples are being collected at several sites on the Potomac River to monitor levels of E. coli in the river. Water quality is going to continue to be monitored, and the latest data can be viewed on the Potomac Interceptor Update and FAQ website.
We will have to continue to monitor the situation on the Potomac as we anticipate the start of the spring spawning runs. Yellow perch should start moving up the tidal rivers and their tributaries in the coming weeks. Hotspots for this run include Mattawoman Creek on the Potomac, Hopyard Landing near Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock, and the James River near Richmond. Hickory and American shad will be arriving shortly after, usually around mid to late March. They will be running up as far as they can go in the Lower Bay tidal rivers, usually to the fall line. While we wait for these runs to kick off, blue catfish are a reliable target in the tidal rivers. We had a report from an angler fishing on the upper James River that reported a slow, but steady bite for blue catfish near Hopewell. Gizzard shad is an excellent bait for catfish. They can often be found schooling in depths of 10’ to 25’ this time of year. If you have a cast net and a reliable fish finder, you can usually catch your own bait.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 13 Update:
It was another week of slim to none fishing reports thanks to the deep freeze this winter. The good news is that the ice is starting to break up thanks to milder temperatures this week. The upper reaches of the Lower Bay tidal rivers still have a significant amount of ice, but it is regressing with each day above freezing. That trend should continue through this weekend and into next week so that we can hopefully start getting back on the water. Some anglers have already made it out, but it is important to keep an eye out for floating ice as they will pose a significant navigational hazard over the next few days. When the ice clears, blue catfish on the Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James rivers will offer excellent opportunities. Striped bass will also offer some opportunities as there are some migratory fish around, but we should see the migration kick off in March where they will be heading to their spawning grounds up these tidal rivers. Spring shad fishing and the perch runs are also a few weeks away, so it is a good time to get all your tackle organized and ready to go for when the fish arrive.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 6 Update:
The ice situation on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have essentially shut down fishing across the region. The middle and upper sections of the Lower Bay tidal rivers are completely covered in ice and the milder temperatures this week loosened it up, so there are large ice flows moving through the rivers, making for serious navigational hazards. Boat ramps and marinas are still covered with ice, and we didn’t hear of anyone who ventured out to fish this week. When the thaw eventually comes, catfish will be a top target. Hopefully, we can get back on the water sooner rather than later, but we have a lot of great opportunities on the horizon with the spring spawning runs. There may be some hardwater ice fishing opportunities in certain coves or creeks on the tidal rivers, but we urge you to use extreme caution whenever venturing out on the ice. Remember that ice four inches thick or more is considered best for safety reasons. If you need a refresher on the ice fishing in our zone, be sure to check out Mid-Atlantic Ice Fishing Spectacular and Cheap and Easy Ice Fishing. Considering the weather, you might want to opt for land-based activities this weekend, in which case a great option is hitting the Chesapeake Bay Boat Show in Timonium at the Maryland Fairgrounds. They usually have a pretty good selection at the “Tackle Pier,” the Hawg Trough will be there, and FishTalk will be on hand, so be sure to swing by our booth and say hi!
