Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (upper), VA
Summary: 3/27 - Anglers at the Susquehanna Flats are seeing more opportunities to enjoy some catch-and-release action with striped bass. The size of the fish being encountered has improved as large female striped bass move into the area. Casting large soft plastic jigs, jerkbaits, and crankbaits have been some of the more popular lures being used. The Susquehanna Flats catch and release boundaries are: upstream of a line from Sandy Point to Turkey Point and the Susquehanna River downstream from a line connecting the Susquehanna State Park boat ramp at Lapidum (defined by Lat. 39°35.86′ N and Long. 76°07.67′ W) to Twin Rocks (defined by Lat. 39°36.17′ N and Long. 76°07.56′ W) to Tomes Wharf in Port Deposit (defined by Lat. 39°36.23′ N and Long. 76°06.99′ W); and the Northeast River. Note: The “Tomes Wharf” coordinate is closest to Lee’s Landing Dock Bar. Catch and release of striped bass is currently allowed below a line between Abbey Point to Worton Point, and south to the Virginia state line, including Tangier and Pocomoke sounds. The DNR website contains a map of Maryland’s striped bass fishing areas and seasons. Anglers are encouraged to beef up their fishing outfits to heavy tackle to lessen the fight time for the striped bass. The striped bass are already under stress from moving to higher salinity waters to freshwater. Release fish quickly and if the fish must come into the boat for a quick picture, use a rubber mesh landing net to lessen slime removal and have someone ready to take a quick picture. These fish represent the future of your striped bass fishing in Maryland so treat them well. Catch and release guidance can be found on the Maryland DNR website. Anglers are catching post-spawn yellow perch this week near the town of North East and other rivers in the upper Bay region. Lipped hooked minnows fished close to the bottom are the most popular method of targeting the yellow perch below the spawning reaches. White perch are showing up in big numbers this week in many of the region’s tidal rivers. Many of these white perch are small so the throwback ratio is high, so if you’re fishing with bloodworms, bring plenty of bait. A good way to fish is casting shad darts tipped with a piece of minnow or some of the scented artificial baits that help enhance the attractiveness of your shad dart or jig. Blue catfish are on the move as water temperatures warm. They can be found in the channels or on the edges of channels in the lower Susquehanna River, the mouth of the Elk, the Chester River and generally throughout the upper Bay. The largest blue catfish tend to be roaming as far south as the Bay Bridge. Anglers fishing with lures in the Susquehanna Flats area report they will chase down a crankbait or other lures, but fishing with bait is the best way to target them. A 5/0 to 8/0 circle hook on a fish finder type rig with a float to help keep your bait off the bottom is one of the best ways to fish for blue cats. Cut baits of white perch, gizzard shad, menhaden or chicken liver or parts make good baits.