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!
