Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (middle), VA
Summary: 4/16/26 - Middle Bay - Catch-and-release fishing for striped bass has been going well this month and this week’s warm temperatures make fishing out on the Bay much more comfortable. Trolling and jigging along the main channel edges is a popular way to fish for striped bass moving up the bay. Striped bass have been spawning for the last two weeks in the upper Choptank, so anglers may encounter post spawn fish heading out of the river. In all cases anglers should practice the best catch and release techniques. The DNR website has tips on handling fish as little and quickly as possible. White perch can still be found in the upper sections of the Choptank River and Tuckahoe this week. Anglers will encounter post-spawn white perch as the perch head downriver from the spawning reaches. A 1/16-ounce or 1/8-ounce jig head tipped with grass shrimp or a piece of minnow or bloodworm is a popular offering. In deeper waters a bottom rig baited with the above baits will also catch white perch. There are plenty of blue catfish in the Choptank River this week and many of them can be found in the Dover Bridge area up to Denton. The deeper channel edges on the outside of river bends and deep shelves alongside the channels are a good place to look for them. Most of the blue catfish in the Choptank are less than 30 pounds so they’re perfect size for table fare. Cut bait of gizzard shad, menhaden, or white perch work well as do scented baits. Please use an 8/0 or 9/0 non-offset circle hook when fishing in the Choptank River since striped bass are present.