Tangier and Lower Shore Fishing Reports

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, February 20 Update: 

The lower Eastern Shore mill ponds are thawing out after a long stretch of ice cover. This will open opportunities for pickerel fishing through late winter and spring. Now is a great time to target these fish, especially when we see warming trends as they get very active this time of year searching for prey. Live minnows work great, but they are usually willing to hit artificial lures such as jerkbaits, spinners, and swimbaits. Anything with flash usually gets their attention. The Pocomoke River will be another hot spot to fish right now. Several bites will be picking up in the river, but the highlight is the crappie bite. Now through springtime is primetime for crappie fishing. Most anglers fish with live minnows under a bobber and cast near submerged structure or shoreline cover. Slow trolling minnows behind your boat under bobbers is another effective method. Yellow perch will also start to move up the river over the coming weeks along with other tributaries on the Eastern Shore, including the Wicomico and Nanticoke. Fishing opportunities on the Bay are very slim right now. There may be some striped bass hanging in the deeper channels and ledges, but we have not heard of anyone trying in this region. We should start to see new fish migrating up the Bay by mid-March for the spawn, so keep an eye out for striper opportunities in the coming weeks.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, February 13 Update: 

The ice is finally starting to break up thanks to some milder temperatures this week. Some areas on the eastern shore are dealing with significantly more ice because of the strong northwest winds last weekend that broke up ice on the bay and rivers and pushed it down the bay into areas of the Tangier region. The ice situation is getting better by the day, but many rivers, creeks, and boat ramps are still dealing with these issues. There are warmer temperatures and rain in the forecast for this weekend, so conditions should continue to improve so we can hopefully get out and fish. Once the water clears, bites to look forward to including the start of the yellow perch runs which should begin by the end of the month on the Pocomoke up to the Nanticoke. Pickerel fishing should also be good on the lower Eastern Shore millponds once the ice thaws on them. Minnows, spinners, jerkbaits, and any flashy lure should be a reliable choice for getting them to bite. It looks like next week will be the week anglers can finally start getting back out on the water.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, February 6 Update: 

The tidal rivers and much of the shallow bay water are locked up with ice thanks to the brutally cold temperatures that have stuck around our region over the past few weeks. The ice has made it very difficult to get a boat out on the water, and it is honestly not very safe to be out there right now with all the floating ice chunks. The slightly milder temperatures this week loosened up some of the ice and the tide swings have moved large areas of ice flow all over the place, making for a navigational hazard. Water temperatures in the low to mid 30s on the Chesapeake Bay have hunkered down most fish, and there’s not a whole lot going on right now. There are likely some striped bass along the deeper channel ledges, but it will be best to wait until the ice clears before fishing for them. Some of the tidal rivers have areas of open water, and we did see a report from ana angler who bank fished along the Pocomoke River this week, catching two blue catfish. They still dealt with large pieces of ice floating down river though. This weekend’s forecast is calling for more brutally cold temperatures, so more ice is likely to form. 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!