Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (upper), VA
Summary: 3/26/26 - The lower Susquehanna River and waters at the very top of the Bay continue to show stained water conditions, and much of the wood debris there has washed up on shorelines. Anglers are fishing the Susquehanna Flats area for striped bass during the catch-and-release season with spotty results. Large paddletails and crankbaits containing rattles are popular lures to use along the channel edges. Some anglers may try using cut bait in the form of gizzard shad or menhaden, which will attract the attention of large blue catfish that will be a bonus you can take home. Remember you must use non-offset circle hooks, a 9/0 is a good size for large striped bass and blue catfish. Catch-and-release anglers are urged to stay within these boundaries of the upper Bay: Susquehanna Flats, 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. Anglers in the lower Susquehanna River are also finding smallmouth bass and a few walleye when fishing with jigs and crankbaits in the waters below the dam, where the water still runs fast over rocky bottom. In the Susquehanna Flats the grass beds are beginning to emerge and fishing for largemouth bass is good. Blue catfish are presenting lots of fishing opportunities in the upper Bay. They can be found from the Bay Bridge to the Conowingo Dam. Right now some of the largest blue catfish can be found in the Bay. The tidal rivers also have populations of blue catfish, and all are active due to warming water temperatures. Most types of cut bait or scented bait on a traditional single hook bottom rig or sliding sink rig, teamed up with an 8/0 or 9/0 non-offset circle hook is all that is needed. This is an exciting time for white perch anglers seeking to target them in the tidal rivers where they spawn. The Bush, Gunpowder, Magothy, Chester, and Sassafras rivers are all good places to target this week. The Susquehanna River due to the cold-water influence of the Conowingo Dam will be later. Small 1/16-ounce to ⅛-ounce jig heads rigged with a lip hooked minnow or a grass shrimp is one of the best ways to catch them.