Way North Fishing Reports

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 23 Update:

Although striped bass season has opened in many areas of the Chesapeake Bay, the Way North region will have to wait until June 1st to start targeting them. Based on reports from areas further south, there seems to be plenty of fish in several areas, so hopefully that is the case in this region too. The Conowingo Dam is usually a hotspot for stripers in this region once the season opens. Anglers will often use surf casting rods to get their lures as far out in the current as they can, which is where the stripers like to hang out. Make sure to view the Maryland DNR striped bass regulations map to see where striped bass can be targeted or kept. We have been in a rainy pattern and after last week’s deluge, there have been a few more rounds of rain. The lower Susquehanna was running high and muddy while the dam had gates open, but conditions are starting to settle back down. Blue catfish are being caught in the river from the Dam down to Perryville and there are some true giants that have been pulled from the water this spring. Fish over 40 pounds are now not that uncommon.

We had several reports of good snakehead action from Dundee and the Sassafras, but anglers fishing farther south are reporting that spawning activity has kicked in, so a slowdown in northern areas shouldn’t be far behind. We also had a report from an angler fishing on Aberdeen Proving Grounds who had a good day targeting snakeheads last weekend. They caught four fish using a four-inch paddletail on a half-ounce jighead. The biggest fish was 24 inches, and a slow, steady retrieve worked well to get bites. Snakeheads have also been active on the Susquehanna Flats, and we heard of a few caught this week in the vicinity of Havre De Grace. Emerging grass beds will be prime locations to search for them as these invasive fish love thick cover. If you plan on targeting snakeheads, or any invasive, don’t forget to sign up for CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count. Anglers can log their catches to help document the distribution of invasive species in our waters. Each entry gives you a chance at monthly prizes too.

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 15 Update:

The lower Susquehanna River and Way North region of the Bay is running high and muddy from the deluge of rain at the beginning of the week. The Conowingo Dam is currently running in spill conditions and fishing the river will be difficult to downright impossible in areas until the waters recede. We did not have any reports from this area thanks to the poor conditions, but there should still be plenty of catfish and some white perch to target in the tidal tributaries. The influx of muddy water and debris will make things difficult through the weekend, but hopefully conditions will improve enough for anglers to get back on track next week.

While striped bass season is now open as of May 16th in certain areas of the Bay, the season does not open in the Way North region until June 1st. Targeting is still prohibited through the rest of the month. The boundaries for where targeting and harvesting striped bass is allowed can be confusing, so we recommend viewing the Maryland DNR striped bass regulation map to see what areas are open, catch and release, or closed throughout the year. Maryland regulations describe the area of the Bay open for striped bass season as the “Chesapeake Bay downstream from a line drawn from the south corner of Hart-Miller Island Dike to the end of MD Route 21 at Tolchester and south to the Maryland/Virginia state line, excluding all bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers. EXCEPT: Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound; Chester River and its tributaries downstream of a line drawn from Hail Point to Long Point to Ferry Point; Patuxent River and its tributaries downstream of a line drawn from Point Patience to the west point of land at the entrance of Little Kingston Creek; and Choptank River and its tributaries downstream of a line drawn from Holland Point to a point of land at the west entrance of Chapel Creek are open.”

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 9 Update:

Anglers were enjoying several fishing opportunities this month, which included shad, catfish, smallmouth bass, and snakehead, but the river conditions have quickly gone downhill. Hickory shad have just about wrapped up their spawning run, but there are still some in the area. Earlier in the week, anglers were still catching hickory shad at Octoraro and Deer Creek. One angler reported catching close to a dozen while casting shad darts in Octoraro. The Conowingo dam is currently running at spill conditions with several gates open and pumping water. Conowingo Fisherman’s Park was closed at the end of the week and may be closed for a few days or until water releases from the dam come down. All the water being released has the lower Susquehanna River running high and muddy. This can make fishing conditions tough for some species such as shad and bass, but catfish often feed better when there is increased flow and muddy water. It will be tough to fish close to the dam for the time being, but fishing from Port Deposit down to the Susquehanna Flats could be good for catfish. White perch are also being caught on the lower Susquehanna River and there have been decent reports of fish being caught between Port Deposit and Havre De Grace. Bottom rigs baited with bits of bloodworm or Fishbites are the go-to bait right now.

The striped bass closure is nearly over, and the migratory fish have all but concluded their spawning runs. Let’s hope it was a successful spawn, because we need a strong recruitment year. The striped bass season will open in certain areas of Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay next week on May 16th. The Way North areas will still be closed until the end of the month and the season will open for this area starting June 1st. We do not have any intel on where the fish are hanging out since they have been off limits, but there are usually plenty of fish around the lower Susquehanna River and Conowingo Dam in late spring and early summer. Once the season opens, anglers will be allowed to keep one fish per person per day with a slot limit of 19” to 24”. Those who plan to fish for stripers should view the Maryland DNR striped bass regulations map to see which areas are open to fishing for striped bass.

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 2 Update:

The weather has warmed up and conditions have been great to get out and do some fishing. The hickory shad run is still going strong on the lower Susquehanna River with anglers catching fish at the Conowingo Dam, Deer Creek, and Octoraro Creek. Tandem-rigged shad darts and metal spoons are the most reliable lures to throw for shad. Their color preference can change from day to day, so it is a good idea to have several different colored shad darts along with gold and silver spoons to try different presentations until you find what they like. The shad run will likely be coming to an end soon as water temperatures have already reached the mid 60’s in this region, so get out for this fun fishery now if you haven’t already. Anglers in these areas are also reporting that gizzard shad are all over the place and can be seen running along shorelines. They are less likely to hit lures but can be caught and are excellent bait for catfish. The lower Susquehanna has also seen the arrival of white perch and fishing has been good at the mouth of the river. Anglers are catching them using bottom rigs tipped with grass shrimp and bloodworms.

A reader checked in after fishing on the Susquehanna at the beginning of the week and reported catching 45 fish with catfish eagerly willing to bite bottom rigs baited with worms. Big blue catfish have also been following the schools of perch on the river and there have been several big fish up to 40 pounds caught in the vicinity of Port Deposit and Havre De Grace. Striped bass are still off limits as the closure is still in effect for all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The striped bass season will open on May 16th in certain areas, but not all areas will be open to targeting. Anglers can view the Maryland DNR striped bass regulations map to see when and where you can fish for striped bass. Although stripers are off limits, there have been some smallmouth bass and walleye being caught just below the Conowingo Dam at Conowingo Fisherman’s Park.