Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 11 Update:
While striped bass are off limits right now, blue catfish are an excellent option to target, and they are abundant in the Upper Bay. The striped bass closure is in effect until May 16th in all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay and anglers are prohibited from targeting striped bass during this time. While fishing for cats was slow to get going this spring, the bite appears to be very good now. The fish have come out of their deep wintering holes and are becoming more widespread at depths of five to 15’. Local photographer turned waterman Jay Fleming has been running catfish trotlines just north of the Bay Bridge with a lot of success this month. Jay has been able to fill trash cans full of blue catfish with some big fish over 30 pounds being hauled in. The best fishing appears to be happening from Hart Miller Island down to Sandy Point State Park with hotspots around Tolchester, Rock Hall, and the mouth of the Magothy. Fresh chunks of gizzard shad on fish finder rigs usually get the catfish biting. John Burrell of Phat Katz Catfish Rigs reports that the fish are active along the bayfront north of the Bay Bridge. If you plan to fish for blue catfish, consider signing up for CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count. Anglers can register their invasive catches to help fisheries managers track their spread across our region. You will also be entered for a chance at monthly giveaways. Pickerel will be another great option to target this month in the Upper Bay tributaries. We are in primetime for their spawn, but some fish may be a bit reluctant to bite because they have been beating each other up recently. The upper reaches of the Magothy River, Main Creek, Bodkin Creek, Back Creek, and creeks off the Patapsco are all great locations for pickerel fishing. Top lures will include inline spinners, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, and paddletails.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 4 Update:
The striped bass closure is now in effect for all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Anglers are prohibited from targeting striped bass until May 16th when certain areas of the Bay will open for the season. We encourage anglers to view the Maryland DNR striped bass regulations map to see when and where areas are open for striped bass fishing. While striped bass are off the table for now, the blue catfish bite is really ramping up. The catfish have been concentrated in the upper portions of the Upper Bay around Hart Miller and Pooles Island, but we are now seeing a surge southward. Jay Fleming was out this week running catfish trotlines just north of the Bay Bridge and had an impressive haul filling several trash cans full of blue catfish. Last year, April was a great month to fish for blue catfish in the Upper Bay and anglers were catching several fish in the 10-to-20-pound class with some fish over 40 pounds as well. These fish are invasive (and delicious!) and we encourage anglers to remove them from the water if caught. Anglers should also consider signing up for CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count. You can log your invasive catches for a chance to win some great prizes.
Although striped bass are off limits, several other species are available to target this spring. White perch are running up their spawning tributaries and will soon become widely available in the Upper Bay rivers once they are done with their spawn. Post-spawn yellow perch are being caught in the Chester River, Magothy River, and Baltimore area creeks. Both species have been biting on bloodworms, grass shrimp, and minnows. Pickerel action has been red hot and the Upper Bay tributaries from the Patapsco River south have high concentrations of pickerel in their upper reaches. Anglers should focus their casts in creeks with fallen trees, docks, and other shoreline structures that would be a good ambush spot for pickerel. Spinners, jerkbaits, paddletails, and chatterbaits are all excellent lure choices. We have bene gifted some unseasonably warm days to start spring, so take advantage of them and get out on the water.