Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 13 Update:
Ice fishing opportunities still exist in the tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, but they are going to dwindle after this weekend. Above freezing temperatures this week started the thaw, and we are forecast to get some more warm weather this weekend into next week. We did hear a few reports from anglers fishing the upper Magothy and Middle River, though both parties struck out. Most of the Upper Bay ice fishing reports so far this winter have been skunks or just a few yellow perch here and there. We could use a good thaw to open more areas to fish, and it looks like we are going to get it just in time for the start of the yellow perch run. The Magothy River has historically been one of the more productive tribs in this section of the Bay for the spring run. Beechwood Park is a hotspot, along with any of the creeks in the upper reaches of the river. Minnows under a bobber are considered the best way to catch them. Reminder to anglers that the tidal yellow perch creel limit was reduced from 10 fish to five fish this year.
Pickerel fishing should also be good once the ice melts off. Minnows work well for them too, but their sharp teeth can cut through light lines. Another great way to catch them is to throw spinners, suspending jerkbaits, and swimbaits. Vary your retrieves between steady, sporadic, and long pauses. Some days the fish can be mor aggressive than others. Another tip is to target fish along southern facing shorelines as the water temperatures will be slightly warmer from sunlight in the late winter and early spring. Once the ice clears off of the Patapsco River and the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay, striped bass fishing will be back on the table. Water temperatures are still very cold, so fish will most likely be tight to bottom in the deeper channels. They haven’t been targeted in a while, so it could make for a good bite opportunity, especially on warmer days, but they could also have lockjaw because of the cold water. A steady warming trend should improve catch and release opportunities.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 6 Update:
The Upper Bay is close to 90% locked up with ice thanks to the brutal winter temperatures that we can’t seem to get a break from. Getting a boat out on the water safely is almost out of the question thanks to ice covered boat ramps and rivers, but there is enough hard water to try some ice fishing. We haven’t received any reports from the northern Bay tribs as of yet, but it should be possible to find good ice in coves if not more open waters. The Angler In Chief, along with FishTalk contributors Eric Packard, Adam Greenberg, and David Rudow did get out for a late week trip on the upper Magothy near Beechwood Park to try ice fishing. The AIC reports that ice on the creek was seven inches thick, plenty deep for safe conditions. After drilling several holes and setting their tip-ups with live minnows, it was time to play the waiting game. Unfortunately, after several hours, only four tip-ups had been triggered and none of them had fish on, though a few minnows had bite marks, which indicates there are at least a few active fish under 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!
