Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (upper), VA
Summary: Anglers are enjoying fun catch-and-release for hickory shad in the lower Susquehanna River near the mouth of Deer Creek and in Octoraro Creek. The hickory shad can now be found in good numbers and will readily take a variety of bright colored flies, shad darts and small spoons. Many anglers often place a small spoon tied above a shad dart to increase their chances of a hook up and adds some weight for casting. Fly rod anglers can do the same. The recent cold weather may temporarily delay the hickory shad spawning runs. We have not heard about white perch in the lower Susquehanna yet, but they are due to arrive soon. Often anglers fishing for hickory shad with shad darts will be the first to report their presence. Targeting them with bottom rigs baited with pieces of bloodworm or casting shad darts in tandem with a little enticement in the form of a piece of Gulp bait, bloodworm, or minnow often helps. The lower Susquehanna River and the upper Bay water temperatures are warm enough to have blue catfish on the move and actively feeding. Any type of fresh cut bait from gizzard shad, menhaden, white perch, chicken parts, or other inventive baits will get their attention. Once fileted with the removal of any red meat or silver skin, they offer a mild white fish portion that is very versatile in the kitchen. The DNR website provides a few tips on catching and fileting blue catfish. Striped bass fishing remains closed in the upper Bay until May 16, except above the line from the south corner of Hart-Miller Island to Tolchester, which opens on June 1. DNR’s online striped bass season regulation map site can help striped bass ang