Fishing Report
Chesapeake Bay (upper), VA
Summary: The vanguard of pre-spawn striped bass in the Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release area are just beginning to arrive, and the catch-and-release season is open from March 1 through March 31. Arrival of pre-spawn striped bass depends on warming water temperatures which are now in the low 40s. The smaller male striped bass will be the first to arrive. Casting soft plastic jigs, crankbaits, and Rattle-Trap lures will be popular choices. Striped bass should be released quickly and if you want a picture, have a friend ready with a camera before the fish is landed, because holding fish for a noticeable period of time is a violation of our conservation laws. Anglers are warned not to fish above the upper boundary of the Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release area, which is heavily patrolled by the Natural Resources Police. The larger pre-spawn striped bass are under a lot of stress when transitioning from ocean salinities to freshwater so long fight times or extended time out of water is very detrimental to their survival. Anglers are urged to review proper catch and release procedures. 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 not allowed below the lower boundary line of the Susquehanna Flats designated area to the Brewerton Channel. Catch and release of striped bass is allowed below the Brewerton Channel 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. Blue catfish are beginning to stir in the upper Bay as water temperatures slowly warm. The mouth of the Susquehanna is always a great place to fish for them as is the Chester River and all the way south to the Bay Bridge. There was a substantial cold-water die-off of gizzard shad in January, so large opportunistic blue catfish will be searching for those dead fish drifting along the bottom of channels. Because of this, gizzard shad would be a preferred bait to catch the blue cats, but cut menhaden, white perch, or chicken liver and breast will work also. Yellow perch are moving out of the deep waters of the Susquehanna and headed for the tidal spawning rivers. The North East River is a very popular area to fish for yellow perch and the marina area in the town of North East is an excellent place to fish from shore for them. Lip-hooked small minnows are the bait of choice but small bladed jigs and small soft plastic jigs designed for crappie and panfish can be a good alternative. The Bush River near the Route 40 Bridge crossing area will also soon come into play for yellow perch anglers.