Middle Bay Fishing Reports

Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 21 Update:

As we inch closer to the complete closure of striped bass spring catch-and-release fishing at the beginning of April there have been limited reports of scattered success, though usually just a fish or two here and there. This week we heard from a reader who caught a 36-incher trolling right by the Bay Bridge, and another who found a few 20-somethings and a 38-inch fish near Calvert Cliffs. Later in the week, we started to get better reports of both baitfish and more striped bass migrating up the Bay. Several of the light tackle guides reported catching fish in the main stem of the Middle Bay. Griffins Guide Service was out a few times this week and caught several trophy class fish. Captain Steve reports that finding the bait has been key and the big fish were suspended in the water column actively feeding. Many of their fish were caught along main channel edges. Captain Pete Dahlberg of Four Seasons Guide Service fished some protected waters later in the week during the gusty winds and reported finding multiple trophy class fish in less than 10 feet of water. It looks like we may have some opportunities to close out the catch and release season on a high note if the weather cooperates.

The Angler in Chief says the white perch in the upper Patuxent near Wayson’s Corner are in excellent spring form, hitting both grass shrimp and bloodworms fished on darts and Sabikis. The end of the outgoing tide was best and anglers fishing from the pier at Jackson’s Landing reported plenty of fish in their buckets, too. There was a good mix of sizes, and with plenty of blue catfish cruising the same waters, casting out a rod baited with cut mud shad produced regular bites from cats in the 18- to 28-inch range. Another angler fishing north of Jug Bay reported that the white perch are running, and he has been catching eater sized white perch this week along with big blue catfish. The perch have been biting best on bloodworm while the catfish are willing to take most forms of fresh cut bait. There have been reports of white perch being caught more regularly at Wootens Landing which indicates the perch are moving out of the staging phase and are starting to run for their spawn.

Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 14 Update:

The Middle Bay yellow perch have pulled the trigger, with the Angler in Chief reporting hot (though not epic) yellow perch action in the Tuckahoe after launching in Hillsboro early this week. Surprisingly, half the perch had visibly spawned out already (confirmed at the fillet table) and half still had full bellies (released to do their thing). Minnow on white and pink shad darts hopped along the bottom, mostly near deadfall in deep water, was best, so snags were also plentiful and bringing lots of extra darts is a good move. Also surprisingly three white perch popped up in the catch as well, after going for the minnow. Water temp was 48 degrees in the morning and climbed fast, hitting 50 at around noon when the ebb tide finished and the bite dropped off. Shoreline anglers at the ramp reported catching a couple here and there but not as good numbers. A reader reported that by midweek the number of whites in the mix grew, reporting two dozen yellows and one dozen white perch. They also said that other anglers there had caught a significant number of white perch casting small lures.

Striped bass anglers only have two more weeks to target fish for catch and release before the no targeting closure goes into effect April 1st. The fish have been a bit trickier to catch this week and several anglers and guides reported that searching for fish in the remaining areas remaining open for catch and release has been difficult. One reader reported fishing in Eastern Bay during an afternoon this week and was skunked. Another reader fished near Bloody Point and also struck out but said he marked a few scattered fish while drifting in 50’ to 70’. There were a few hearsay reports of big stripers being caught in areas of less than 10 feet of water, but we haven’t confirmed those reports. There should still be some fish hanging around the CCNPP at the warm water discharge, but the warmer temps may be causing the bigger fish to move towards their spawning grounds. If you plan to get out before the closure, make sure to look at the Maryland DNR striped bass regulations map.

Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 7 Update:

Anglers looking to take advantage of catch and release striped bass fishing only have a few weeks left to chase the migratory fish. March is the last month to target stripers in certain Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay before the no targeting closure goes into effect from April 1st to May 15th. Many of the tidal rivers are closed to targeting right now, so make sure to look at the striped bass regulation map to check where catch and release fishing is allowed. Striper fishing has been spotty in the Middle Bay with better localized success around the CCNPP. A reader reported visiting the power plant this week but said a strong south wind made fishing tough. He managed a few 20-something rockfish and one 30-incher. There are still scattered schools of stripers roaming around the vicinity of the plant on most days, though they are not always in the fast-moving water at the discharge. Nearby ledges in the 15’ to 40’ range have been worth checking for schools of fish. Boat pressure has continued to be a factor with several boats hitting the area throughout the week. There are fish there, but the bite can be finnicky when a lot of other anglers are in the area.

Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow hit the Patuxent in search of perch this week but found only catfish willing to chomp on his minnow. He did note that the water temperature had come up significantly in the past week and was in the mid-upper 40s. Anglers fishing from the pier by the boat ramp at Jacksons Landing had catfish and also some white perch, which they said were hitting on bloodworms. Another reader fishing at Wayson’s Corner last weekend reported that during the nicer weather anglers fishing along the bank and at the pier north of the Route 4 bridge were catching yellow perch and white perch. He saw a handful of yellow perch caught and close to 30 white perch caught throughout the day. The run doesn’t seem to be in full swing yet, but there are some schools moving upriver to target. If you can get minnows or grass shrimp, they will likely yield the best results right now.