Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (lower), VA
Summary: 5/1/26 - Lower Bay Many of the larger post-spawn striped bass from the Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers have moved through the region but many the smaller male striped bass will be found lingering about. Light-tackle anglers can enjoy casting topwater and paddletail lures along the shallower waters along the bay shores or jigging in the deeper channel waters. Trolling and jigging will be popular along channel edges. The steep channel edge on the east side of the Bay from Buoy 76R to 72B, Cove Point, Cedar Point, Point Lookout, and Smith Point on the west side are traditional haunts for striped bass. In the Potomac, the steep edge from St. Georges Island to Piney Point is always worth a look, as is the Route 4 Bridge area on the Patuxent River. White perch can be found in the lower portions of the region’s tidal rivers, and they are steadily moving towards their summer season areas. Black drum are being caught in the Tangier Sound area on peeler or soft crab baits. The hickory shad and American shad spawn runs in the Potomac River in Washington D.C. has been hindered due to extremely low flows this month. Anglers have been moving up close to the Chain Bridge for the best catch-and-release fishing. The pool waters at Fletchers Landing have been unproductive. The predicted rain later this week may transform this fishery to a more active status. Blue catfish are providing a lot of fishing action in the Potomac River from the Route 301 Bridge to the Wilson Bridge, with some of the better fishing farther up the river due to higher salinities. The Patuxent River above Benedict to Jug Bay and the Sharpstown area on the Nanticoke are good places to fish for blue catfish.