Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, covering the Baltimore and Washington D.C. waters.

First light showed up at 5:51 am, and we'll see the sun dip at 8:11 pm tonight. Weatherwise, we're in the mid-60s early, climbing into the 70s by afternoon, with light winds and partly cloudy skies—great conditions for a day on the Bay or the surrounding rivers.

Tide today is running high for much of the morning, with a solid outgoing current settling in by mid-afternoon. Fish have been most active on these moving tides, especially in rivers and creek mouths.

Anglers are gearing up for the striped bass season opener on May 16th, and early action has been promising. There have been a few good days recently with keeper stripers reported in the main stem of the Bay, especially south of Hart-Miller Island to Tolchester. Most are being taken trolling large tandem rigs, bucktails, and classic chartreuse shads. Topwater and soft plastic paddle tails are also producing, especially early and late in the day near structure and channel edges[2][1].

Blue catfish and invasive northern snakehead are providing steady action in the upper Bay tribs. The blue cats are thick in the Patapsco, Gunpowder, and Chester Rivers. Cut bait like menhaden or chicken breast is the ticket for blue catfish, and you’ll find them stacked up around deeper holes and channel ledges[2]. Look for snakehead in Back River and the upper Patuxent, where chatterbaits, white paddletails, and topwater frogs have been scoring well.

White perch are still biting strong, especially on grass shrimp, bloodworms, and small beetle spins fished around docks and submerged timber in the rivers. Some yellow perch are still lingering in the creeks, best caught on small jigs or live minnows, though that run is tapering off for the season[3].

Hot spots to check today include Sandy Point State Park for stripers and perch, and the Susquehanna Flats for a shot at larger stripers and early-season catfish. Also, the mouth of the Magothy River and the area around Tolchester for a mixed bag of species on moving tides.

In summary, focus on the outgoing tide for the best bite, gear up for the striped bass opener with big lures or fresh bait, and don’t overlook the cats and snakeheads for a fun tug on the line. Tight lines and enjoy the May action out on the Bay!

Howdy, anglers and fish fanatics! Artificial Lure here, ready to give you the lowdown on what’s biting and where as we float and cast our way through the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. region this fine May 12th morning. Grab your rods and let’s get into it.

First, let’s talk tides. We’re seeing some solid high and low movements today, typical for this time of year. Water’s warming up, and that means critters are getting active. Expect a bit of a breeze—typical for May—with mostly sunny skies and temps in the 70s and maybe a quick shower or two, nothing to wet your appetite for fishing. Sunrise today was just after 6 a.m., and we’ll see the sun dip below the trees a little after 8 p.m., giving us plenty of daylight for a full day on the water.

Now, on to the main event—the fish! First up, striped bass: they’re the talk of the town right now, with the big opener just a few days ago on May 16th (but some areas are still catch and release, so check those regs before you haul in a keeper). Live lining with spot is a hot ticket, and we’re glad to report that spot are showing up in decent numbers, though they’re still on the small side. Bottom rigs and Chesapeake sabiki rigs tipped with bloodworms or pieces of Fishbites are pulling in plenty of baitfish, which is great news as we head into peak striper season.

White perch aren’t quite at summer numbers in all the creeks, but they’re starting to show up in the shallows near oyster beds and artificial reefs, especially off the South River. Small spinners, jigs, minnows, and grass shrimp will get you bites. Catfish action is solid, especially in the tidal rivers like the Patuxent and Choptank—blue cats and channel cats are both biting on cut bait, with fresh gizzard shad being a standout.

As for hot spots, try your luck near the South River for those early perch, hit the Patuxent and Choptank rivers for catfish action, and set up somewhere in the main stem of the Bay for striped bass once you know your regs and catch windows. Don’t sleep on the artificial reefs and oyster bars in the Middle Bay—they’re holding all kinds of fish right now.

For lures, keep it simple: jigs and plugs for the stripers, spinners for perch, and cut bait for the cats. Bloodworms are always a winner, but if you want to save a few bucks, try Fishbites—they’re getting the job done just fine.

So get out there, enjoy the weather, and tight lines to all. Remember to check your regs, respect the resource, and maybe even sign up for that invasive catfish tournament if you’re looking for a little extra fun on the water! Until next time, this is Artificial Lure, signing off.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, May 11th fishin' report for the Chesapeake Bay around Baltimore and D.C.

Folks, it's a beautiful morning out on the water with the sun having risen just before 6am, and we're looking at sunset around 8pm, giving you plenty of time to get those lines wet today.

The big news is that striped bass season is about to open up on May 16th, so the anticipation is building! Remember though, some river areas are still catch-and-release only until June, so check those DNR regulation maps before you head out[2][3].

The spot have shown up in decent numbers, though they're running small right now. This is great news for you live-liners preparing for striped bass season[2]. May worms are also making their appearance, which can be excellent for specialized baiting when casting jigs.

Blue catfish action remains strong throughout the upper bay, providing reliable action while we wait for striped bass season to fully open[3]. For the freshwater enthusiasts, bass and crappie are transitioning from post-spawn patterns, and snakeheads are starting to get aggressive in the upper ends of creeks and rivers[3].

White perch are showing well in the lower portions of the Susquehanna, and you might still catch some late-running shad at the beginning of the month[3].

For bait, fresh cut spot or bunker has been working wonders for the blues and cats. If you're targeting those snakeheads, noisy topwater frogs are starting to produce as the waters warm up.

Hot spots this weekend include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area which has been productive for various species[1], and the upper ends of creeks flowing into the bay for snakehead action. The Potomac tributaries are also heating up nicely.

Remember that water temps are favorable right now, so if you're practicing catch and release, fish should do fine with proper handling techniques[4].

For you folks looking to head east, there's good flounder action in the back bays after yesterday's rain cleared out[5]. Black drum and weakfish reports are coming in from Cape May, and big stripers are spread out along the front beaches as post-spawn Chesapeake fish begin their migration[5].

That's the word from the water today, folks. This is Artificial Lure reminding you to check those regulations, respect the resource, and enjoy your time on the Chesapeake. Tight lines, y'all!

Fishing Report for Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore/Washington D.C. Area, Saturday, May 10, 2025

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing update for today. We’re settling into early May, and despite a recent cold snap slowing down some river species, the bite is picking up in other spots as water temps slowly rise.

Tide and Weather:
Expect a classic spring day on the Bay. The morning kicked off with sunrise at 5:53 am and sunset’s set for 8:07 pm. Light winds out of the northeast, temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, and partly cloudy skies should keep things comfortable. Tides today are moderate, with a high around midday and lower tides in the early morning and late afternoon, setting you up for prime action around the changes if you can get out between those times.

Fish Activity and Recent Catches:
The big story up and down the Bay right now is the surging blue catfish bite. Anglers in the upper Bay, especially near Hart Miller and Pooles Island, have been hauling impressive numbers of blue catfish, with some catches filling up coolers and even trash cans. Fish in the 10-20 pound range are common, and a few 40 pounders have been reported. Channel catfish are mixed in, especially in the tidal rivers, with the Patuxent and Choptank getting good results[4][5].

White perch are starting to move into their summer spots, but they’re not on fire just yet. Look for them in the shallows and around oysters and reefs, and expect numbers to increase as water warms further[5]. Spot and small croaker have just started to show up in commercial netters’ pound nets—a great sign for the coming weeks and prime bait for stripers when their season opens soon[5].

Striped bass remain off limits in Maryland’s main Bay waters until May 16th, so put the striper gear on hold unless you’re fishing in open areas or strictly catch and release. In the meantime, the shad run is winding down in the Potomac, but you can still find action with hickory and American shad, especially on darts and spoons in the upper stretches[3].

Best Lures and Bait:
For blue catfish, fresh cut bait—especially gizzard shad—gets the nod. Chicken livers, nightcrawlers, and chunks of menhaden or bunker also work well. White perch will take small spinners, jigs tipped with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces, and minnows. For those chasing shad, stick with bright shad darts and small spoons.

Local Hot Spots:
For quantity and size of blue catfish, head to the upper Bay around Hart Miller Island and Pooles Island, or try the upper stretches of the Patuxent and Choptank rivers. For white perch, poke around the creeks off the South River and the artificial reefs in the Middle Bay. If you’re after shad, the Potomac above D.C. remains your best bet[3][4][5].

That’s the word from the water this weekend. Good luck and tight lines out there!

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure reporting straight from the heart of the Chesapeake Bay region, with the latest fishing scoop for Baltimore and Washington D.C. on Friday, May 9, 2025.

First up, today’s weather is shaping up nicely for a day on the water. We’re coming off a run of rainy days but skies are clearing with more stable weather expected heading into the weekend. Sunrise was at 5:56 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:09 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to wet a line. The water temperature in the upper bay and tributaries has crept into the mid-60s, which has really kicked fish activity into gear.

Tides in the central bay region today are moderate, with a high tide around noon and a low tide early evening. These moving water windows have been producing best for most species.

Reports this week in the northern bay have centered on a couple of classic spring runs. Hickory shad are still running strong at the lower Susquehanna—try the Conowingo Dam, Deer Creek, and Octoraro Creek. Anglers have been filling their stringers with tandem-rigged shad darts and metal spoons. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors; shad preferences change day to day. White perch have shown up strong at the river mouths, and bottom rigs with grass shrimp or bloodworms are putting plenty of fish on ice[2].

If you’re targeting stripers, remember the main bay remains closed for rockfish until May 16. However, there’s still solid fishing in the tidal rivers and creeks using artificial lures and live bait for catch-and-release. The migration is ramping up, so expect more action as we get closer to reopening[5].

Catfish fans, you’re in luck. Both flathead and blue catfish have been caught in good numbers near the dam pool and throughout bay tributaries. Cut gizzard shad and fresh bunker have been top baits. Don’t overlook sections of the Patapsco and Potomac for some real giants[1].

As for lures and bait, here’s what’s been hot:
- Shad darts and small metal spoons for hickory shad
- Grass shrimp and bloodworms for white perch
- Cut gizzard shad, fresh bunker, or live bluegill for catfish
- Soft plastics, paddle tails, and bucktails for catch-and-release stripers

Top hotspots right now include the Conowingo Dam for shad, the mouth of the Susquehanna for perch, and the channel edges off Sandy Point and the Key Bridge for big catfish. On the Potomac, Fletcher’s Cove is also firing for cats and the occasional mixed bag.

In summary, fish activity in and around the bay is on the upswing with the shad and perch runs, hot catfish action, and striper anticipation building. With better weather, good water temps, and plenty of daylight, now’s the time to get out there.

Tight lines and good luck on the bay!

CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING REPORT - May 7, 2025

Hey anglers, Artificial Lure here with your mid-week fishing update for the Chesapeake region!

The bay is coming alive as we roll into May, and the action is picking up across the watershed. Water temps are climbing, triggering some excellent fishing opportunities throughout the area.

In the northern bay, the hickory shad run is still going strong, particularly in the lower Susquehanna. If you're looking for some steady action, head to Port Deposit or Havre De Grace where anglers are having a field day with catfish. One fella reported hauling in 45 catfish on simple bottom rigs with worms. The blue cats are especially active, following schools of perch, with some monsters up to 40 pounds being landed[1].

For the striper enthusiasts, hold your horses just a bit longer - the season remains closed in Maryland waters but will open on May 16th in select areas. Check the DNR regulations map before heading out as not all areas will open simultaneously. In the meantime, the Conowingo Fisherman's Park below the dam is producing some nice smallmouth bass and walleye for those who can't wait[1].

Down in the middle bay, white perch should be moving into their summer haunts any day now. Look for them in the shallows of tidal tributaries, areas with oyster bottom, and artificial reef sites. Small spinners, jigs, minnows, or grass shrimp will do the trick. The tidal rivers like the Patuxent and Choptank are your best bet for blue catfish, with fresh gizzard shad being the top bait choice[4].

Good news from the netters - they're starting to see spot and small croaker in their pound nets, which means live-lining opportunities for striped bass once the season opens[4].

In the lower bay, snakehead fishing has been absolutely on fire! The Potomac Creek area has been particularly productive, with one angler landing a 30.5" beast while topwater fishing. The grass flats and SAV in the Potomac tributaries on both the Maryland and Virginia sides are holding pre-spawn snakeheads hitting topwater frogs. The Rappahannock around Fredericksburg and Port Royal is another snakehead hotspot[5].

Hot spots for this week: Conowingo area for catfish and smallmouth, Eastern Bay for white perch, and Potomac Creek for trophy snakeheads.

For tides, we're looking at a high around mid-morning and again in the evening, with a good moving tide during prime fishing hours.

Remember folks, when the striped bass season opens on the 16th, the regulations remain at a 19-24" slot limit with one fish per person per day[4].

That's the scoop for today. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and see ya on the water!

Good morning, anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025, covering the Baltimore and Washington D.C. region.

The sun came up at 5:59 AM and will set at 8:03 PM this evening, giving us a long day to get lines wet. Weather conditions have been on our side lately, with warming temperatures making for pleasant and productive outings. Water temperatures in the middle bay are holding steady at about 56 degrees, with spawning tributaries like the Choptank River climbing into the low 60s. This means we’re seeing the tail end of the shad run and the start of summer patterns for many species[4][5].

Up north, the hickory shad bite is still on at the lower Susquehanna around Conowingo Dam, Deer Creek, and Octoraro Creek, but it’s winding down as water temperatures rise. Tandem shad darts and metal spoons in gold or silver are landing the most fish. If targeting shad, consider switching colors until you dial in the bite[2].

White perch action is picking up in the creeks and tidal rivers, especially at the mouth of the Susquehanna and in the Choptank. They’re moving into their summer spots, often near docks, oyster beds, and shallow tidal creeks. Bottom rigs tipped with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small pieces of Fishbites are the best bet. Small spinners and soft plastics work well at dawn or dusk along the shoreline[4][5].

For catfish, especially blue and channel cats, anglers are doing best in the upper tidal portions of the Patuxent and Choptank rivers using cut bait like fresh gizzard shad. The bite on the Bay proper has been inconsistent, but river fishing is providing steady action[1].

Some early spot and small croaker have been reported in commercial netters’ catches, signaling that live-lining opportunities for striped bass are just around the corner. Bloodworms — though pricey — and Fishbites are the preferred baits on Chesapeake sabiki rigs[1].

Striped bass season is still closed until May 16. Until then, target other species, and remember the special slot and creel regulations that will be in place when stripers come back in play mid-month[1][5].

For hot spots, check out the mouths of the Patuxent and Choptank rivers for blue cats, and the Conowingo Dam area for the last of the shad. Local creeks off the South River, and the smaller tributaries feeding into the Bay, are prime for early white perch action.

Tides today are moderate, and the best action is often on the moving water: try the early morning or late evening tide swings for perch and shad.

Best lures and baits right now: tandem shad darts, gold and silver spoons for shad; grass shrimp, bloodworms, and Fishbites for perch; cut gizzard shad for catfish.

That wraps up today’s Chesapeake Bay fishing report. Tight lines and don’t forget to check those regulations before heading out.

CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING REPORT
May 4, 2025

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing update for the Chesapeake Bay region.

The weather has been mighty fine lately, with temperatures warming up nicely across the Bay. Water temps have reached the mid-60s in the northern sections, creating perfect conditions to get out on the water today.

If you're heading up to the northern Bay, the hickory shad run is still going strong on the lower Susquehanna River, but it's likely winding down soon as water temps continue to rise[1]. Get out there quick if you want in on this action! Anglers are having success at Conowingo Dam, Deer Creek, and Octoraro Creek. Tandem-rigged shad darts and metal spoons are your best bet - carry a variety of colors since their preferences can change daily. Gold and silver spoons have been working well[1].

White perch have moved into the lower sections of tidal rivers and creeks throughout the Bay. They're biting well on bottom rigs tipped with grass shrimp or bloodworms, especially near bridge piers, docks, and channels[3]. The mouth of the Susquehanna has been a particularly hot spot for perch lately[1].

For catfish enthusiasts, the tidal Potomac from Route 301 Bridge to Wilson Bridge offers excellent opportunities for blue cats[3]. Other productive areas include the Patuxent above Benedict and the Nanticoke near Sharptown[3].

Snakehead fishing has been absolutely fire this spring! The Potomac River tributaries on both Maryland and Virginia sides are providing prime habitat for pre-spawn snakeheads in their abundant grass flats[5]. Topwater frogs are crushing it right now. A lucky angler recently pulled in a 30.5-inch beast while topwater fishing in a northern Virginia creek[5].

Black drum are showing up in Pocomoke and Tangier sounds, as well as near the Target Ship and Mud Leads. Soft crab baits are working well when you spot them on your depth finder[3].

For you striper fans, remember that striped bass fishing remains closed in Maryland portions of the Chesapeake until May 15th[4]. The good news is that spawning is pretty much wrapped up in the Choptank and other major tributaries, and some over-slot stripers have started appearing on Maryland's ocean beaches - a sign that the big ones are moving north[4].

Hot spots to try today: Conowingo Dam area for shad, Potomac Creek for snakeheads, and Tangier Sound for black drum.

Tight lines, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.

Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for May 3, 2025, covering Baltimore and the Washington D.C. area.

Weather is holding beautifully steady this week—warm days and light winds are making for pleasant conditions out on the water. Sunrise was just before 6 a.m., and sunset is coming in around 8 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to get lines in and enjoy the bite.

Now, on to the fishing. Water temps are sitting in the upper 50s to low 60s through most of the middle Bay, warming up a touch more in the rivers. We’re still about two weeks out from the start of striped bass season in Maryland’s portion of the Bay, so no targeting stripers just yet. That said, the recent cool snap stretched out the striped bass spawn, and they’re still active in the deeper river reaches, which bodes well for the season opener coming up soon. For now, best leave them be and focus on other species[3][4][5].

White perch action is picking up nicely in the creeks and tidal rivers off the Bay. The perch are slipping out of their spawning runs and holding in deeper spots near docks, bridge pilings, and channels. Anglers are doing well with bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp or bits of bloodworm. Cast small spinners or soft plastics along shorelines early and late in the day for some great light tackle fun. These perch will stick around all summer, making them a go-to for easy and frequent action[2][5].

Catfish are another hot ticket, especially in the tidal Potomac between the Route 301 Bridge and Wilson Bridge. Blue cats are abundant, with steady action throughout the channel edges and deeper holes. The Patuxent above Benedict and the Nanticoke near Sharptown are also holding strong populations. Cut bait—menhaden, chicken, or even hot dogs—continues to pull in big blues[2].

In the grass beds of the tidal rivers, snakeheads are showing up thick, particularly in the lower Potomac, Patuxent, and creeks off the Eastern Shore. Target these aggressive fish by tossing chatterbaits with white soft plastics, paddletails, or topwater frogs right up in the grass. Early morning is prime, and these fish are more than willing to crush a well-placed lure[2].

If you’re hungry for a little adventure, black drum are being found down in the Pocomoke and Tangier sounds, as well as near the Target Ship and Mud Leads. Most anglers are slow-drifting with soft crab baits once they mark fish on the finder[2].

Hot spots to try today would be the Chester River and its nearby creeks for perch, the main channel of the Potomac for big blue cats, and the grass beds in Mattawoman Creek for snakeheads. For families, the bulkheads and docks around Sandy Point and the Severn River are good bets for perch action.

Best baits right now are grass shrimp and bloodworms for perch, cut bait for catfish, and white chatterbaits, paddletails, or frogs for snakehead.

Good luck out there, and may your nets be full! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next tide.

This is Artificial Lure reporting from the Chesapeake Bay region with your May 2nd, 2025 fishing update for Baltimore and Washington D.C. anglers.

The weather this week is looking mighty fine—steady, warm conditions are expected and you really can’t ask for better spring fishing weather on the Bay. Sunrise is at 6:03 AM and sunset at 7:58 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work the waters.

Tides today in the mid-Bay area start with a low around 8 AM and a high tide coming in just after 2 PM. With a solid incoming tide through midday, expect fish activity to pick up as water moves over oyster beds and into shorelines.

The main buzz is still around the perch bite. White perch are moving out from their spring haunts in the upper rivers and are spreading into creeks and smaller tidal rivers all through the middle Bay. Some hot spots to check out are the mouths of the Magothy and the creeks off the Choptank, which are both holding good numbers of perch this week. Folks fishing off the docks at Solomons Island and in the coves around Sandy Point have reported steady perch action.

Anglers are having best luck using grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on simple bottom rigs, fished tight to structure or off dock pilings. For those who like to cast, small shad darts, spinners, and soft plastics are pulling in fish, especially during early morning and evening hours when perch move in shallow to feed. Numbers have been solid—a couple dozen fish in a two-hour outing is typical, though many are running smaller with a handful of keepers mixed in.

Pickerel are still around in the creeks and are now legal to harvest in tidal waters as of May 1st, with a 14-inch minimum and a 10-fish creel limit. Chain pickerel fishing on the Severn has been slow with post-spawn fish a bit beat up, but persistent anglers are still finding a bite here and there. Try flashy spinners or a white twister tail.

Don’t forget, in Maryland waters the striped bass closure remains in effect until May 16, so no targeting or keeping stripers just yet. However, the recent spawn in the Choptank was strong, and you may see some big spawners heading back downriver—take care to avoid disturbing them.

Bait of choice right now is definitely grass shrimp and bloodworm for perch, with small jigs for pickerel. Bring a light rod, watch the tide, and hit the creeks early for best success.

Hot spots to fish today include the creeks along the Choptank River, especially near Cambridge, and the piers at Sandy Point State Park—both have been steady producers this week.

That’s your on-the-water report. Tight lines and see you out there.