Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (upper), VA
Summary: 5/1/26 - Upper Bay The striped bass spawn at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and surrounding areas is ending and the post-spawn striped bass are headed down the Bay, eventually bound for New England’s ocean waters. Once they cross they cross south of the boundary line between Abbey and Worton points, anglers can practice catch-and-release. Beginning May 1, anglers below the Brewerton Channel may keep one striped bass per day within the 19- to 24-inch slot. Anglers are trolling and jigging along the main channel in the upper Bay this week. Light tackle anglers are also finding striped bass along the shallower Bay shore waters by casting paddletails, jerkbaits and glide or twitch baits. There are still some hickory shad to provide catch-and-release action in the lower Susquehanna River, Octoraro Creek, and near the mouth of Deer Creek. There is no question that the hickory shad spawning runs are a fraction of what they used to be in the area. The question remains as to why. Once they head out to the Continental Shelf to live their lives, what happens is unknown to us. A variety of colorful flies, shad darts, of various colors, as well as small gold and silver spoons all work well under certain conditions. Anglers are enjoying catch-and-release fishing for largemouth bass at the Susquehanna Flats grass beds as well as the region’s tidal rivers. Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) are also part of the mix. White perch are moving into the lower Susquehanna River, and anglers are reporting the larger females have arrived. Casting small jig heads tipped with grass shrimp or a piece of minnow works well. A bottom rig baited with grass shrimp or pieces of bloodworm will also get the job done. Fishing for blue catfish is excellent this week in the upper Bay tidal rivers; anglers are seeing some of the largest blue catfish coming from the Conowingo Dam pool and out in the Bay. The Chester River holds some of the greatest numbers of blue catfish. Cut bait and scented baits are all desirable for blue catfish whether fishing from a boat or from shore.