Maryland Fishing Report – April 28
April 28, 2021
Sulley and Oli Francis went fishing with their dad at Loch Raven Reservoir recently and each caught their largest largemouth bass to date – pictured is Sulley with his catch. Photo by Steve Francis
This promises to be an exciting week for fishing, no matter what species of fish you hope to catch. The trout stocking program is finishing up an intensive stocking program this week, warm summer-like temperatures beckon all to the outdoors, and the trophy striped bass season begins in portions of the Chesapeake Bay May 1.
Starting Saturday, the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Virginia state line, excluding all bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers, except Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound, opens up to striped bass fishing for fish 35 inches or larger, with a one fish per person per day creel limit.
Maryland Fishing Report – April 21
April 21, 2021
Joshua A. Campbell was fishing near the Conowingo Dam when he caught this whopper of a northern snakehead. Photo courtesy of Joshua A. Campbell
There are a lot of exciting fishing opportunities in Maryland right now the trout stocking crews are busy stocking trout in the put and take areas, hickory shad runs are underway, and warming waters have many fish species active.
A reminder to anglers that all fishing for striped bass, including catch-and-release, is prohibited in the Chesapeake Bay or any of its tidal rivers except the main stem of the Potomac River for the month of April. The main stem of the bay will open to striped bass fishing on May 1 south of the Brewerton Channel.
Maryland Fishing Report – April 14
April 14, 2021
Emma Ka enjoyed catching a rainbow trout at Halcyon Pond near Gaithersburg recently. Photo courtesy of Emma Ka
Warm spring temperatures are inviting anglers of all ages to step into the outdoors and enjoy wonderful fishing opportunities. Many of the community ponds near suburban areas hold excellent populations of stocked trout and other species, and provide a perfect fishing environment for our younger anglers.
A reminder to all anglers that striped bass fishing and targeting is closed throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, and will reopen on May 1. For more information on striped bass seasons and closure areas, please visit the department’s striped bass maps page.
Maryland Fishing Report – April 7
April 7, 2021
Angler Kate Morrison holds an invasive blue catfish she caught on the Nanticoke River and destined for the dinner table. Photo by Sean Morrison
April offers many fishing opportunities to anglers, ranging from trout to invasive species such as northern snakeheads and blue catfish.
A reminder to anglers that all fishing for striped bass, including catch-and-release, is prohibited in the Chesapeake Bay or any of its tidal rivers except the main stem of the Potomac River for the month of April. The main stem of the bay will open to striped bass fishing on May 1 south of the Brewerton Channel.
Maryland Fishing Report – Feb. 3, 2021
February 3, 2021
Photo by Monty Hawkins
Despite cold mid-winter weather, anglers across Maryland are enjoying fun fishing experiences ranging from the preseason stockings of trout, to chain pickerel and blue catfish, to tautog in the offshore waters off our coast.
Forecast Summary: February:
With Bay temperatures in the upper 30s, Chesapeake Bay fish are in winter holding areas. With plenty of cool waters and oxygen from surface to bottom, look for concentrations of fish in some of the remaining warm water areas. In the main bay, warmer bottom waters deeper than 50 feet are located from the Bay Bridge south to near the Virginia State line, in areas with good structure and protection from strong current such as underwater points, channel edges, and bridge pilings with nearby oyster bottom and reefs. The other warm water areas to consider are near the water discharges of your local power plants.