Fishing Report for Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore/Washington D.C. – April 30, 2025

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh update from the Bay.

Today’s sunrise was at 6:06 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:57 p.m. We’re looking at water temps in the middle Bay holding around 56 degrees, with a touch warmer waters closer to the river mouths like the Choptank at 64. Expect cooler air this morning, with a steady breeze after a run of erratic April weather. The tides today are running strong—midday incoming is prime time if you’re looking to work the shorelines or creek mouths.

The spring bite is shaping up well despite some recent cold and rain. The main event right now is the ongoing shad run. Hickory shad are at peak action, with dozens per trip being caught at Fletcher’s Cove and up around the upper Patuxent and Potomac. Tandem rigged shad darts and silver or gold spoons are the ticket, with pink, chartreuse, white, and red all producing. Cast to the deeper runs and current seams, especially during early and late hours for the best action.

White perch are settling into their summer haunts, spreading down the Choptank and into the creeks and tidal rivers. These feisty fish are eager to bite, providing steady action off docks and shorelines. The best bite is on grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on bottom rigs, though small spinners and soft plastics will get hit in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are routinely catching a dozen or more in short trips.

Catfish action is heating up too, mainly channel and blue cats in virtually every tidal river and creek. The blue cat bite north of the Bay Bridge is still a bit slow due to lingering cold, but fish are in the nets and will turn on with a warming trend. Cut bait and chicken liver are best for these opportunists.

Northern snakeheads are increasingly active in the thickening grass beds, especially in the upper Potomac and Patuxent. Weedless white paddletails and white chatterbaits are drawing explosive hits. Cast tight to grass and be ready—these fish are ambush artists.

A quick reminder: Striped bass season remains closed until May 16. Some big fish are around, but it’s strictly catch-and-release if you accidentally hook one.

For hot spots, give the creeks around the Choptank and the grass beds on the upper Patuxent a try for perch and snakehead. Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac is hands down the shad capital right now.

Best of luck out there—tight lines and bent rods from Artificial Lure!

This is Artificial Lure coming at you with today’s Chesapeake Bay fishing report for April 23, 2025, covering the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area.

After a wet and windy spell lately, the Bay is running higher than usual from all that rain, but the water clarity is hanging in there. Today, expect chilly conditions lingering from the cold front that moved through last weekend, with air temps hovering around the low 50s at sunrise and climbing to the upper 50s by afternoon. Sunrise is at 6:18 a.m. and sunset at 7:51 p.m. The tidal swing is moderate today, with high tide around midday and a falling tide through most of the evening—ideal for working the moving water in tidal rivers and creeks[1][5].

Shad are the headliners right now, with strong runs reported in the upper reaches of the Mattawoman and Potomac near D.C. Anglers have been hauling in dozens of both hickory and American shad using dart and spoon tandems, as well as small flies for those swinging the long rod. The best shad bite has been around Fletchers Cove and north near the first major bend south of D.C. Look for shad to be holding near the bottom in the deeper holes[1][2].

White perch are still packing into tidal salt ponds and rivers. The key bait has been grass shrimp on shad darts or small jigheads, fished under a bobber and worked with a slow pop-and-pause retrieve. Local sharpies have been landing a dozen or more perch in just a couple hours at spots like Triton Beach and in the Patapsco and Magothy Rivers. Most perch are on the smaller side, but there’s enough keepers mixed in to fill a pan[1][5].

Blue catfish action has been spotty north of the Bay Bridge, with the colder water slowing their bite. Commercial nets are picking up a few, but the numbers are still building. However, further down the Potomac, the bite’s been heating up, especially for flatheads and the occasional trophy blue. Try cut gizzard shad or chicken breast soaked in scent on bottom rigs—circle hooks are best for these brutes. The bite is best in deeper water from 10 to 30 feet, particularly in high-flow conditions after rain[2][4].

Top lures this week are shad darts, small spoons, and scented plastics like Z-Man Jerk Shadz for catfish. For perch, stick with grass shrimp or bloodworms on a jighead. Don’t neglect popping and pausing your retrieve for more bites[1][2][5].

Some current hotspots: Fletchers Cove and the tidal Potomac for shad, the Patapsco for white perch, and points near Sandy Point for early catfish. The Mattawoman Creek is also a steady producer for shad[1][2][4].

That’s your update from Artificial Lure. Rig up those shad darts and shrimp, dress warm, and good luck on the water. See you out there!

Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for April 21, right out of the Baltimore and DC region.

Sunrise came at 6:28 this morning, and sunset will light things up till 7:42 tonight. Weather’s been on the cool side, with daytime temps floating in the 60s and a light breeze, which has kept water temps in the main Bay hanging in the upper 50s to low 60s. We had a high tide pass through early at 4:03 am, expect a low around 11:21 am, and another high around 4:29 pm. Those moving tides should keep the fish biting, particularly for catfish and perch.

Striped bass are strictly off limits until May 16 in all Maryland Bay waters, so target something else for now. Blue catfish are the stars this week and the bite’s been strong north of the Bay Bridge—hard to beat the numbers and size showing up from Hart Miller Island down to Sandy Point, including hot spots like Tolchester, Rock Hall, and the mouth of the Magothy. Good hauls are being reported, with some cats over 30 pounds landed. Fresh cut gizzard shad is top bait on a fish finder rig for these trophy blues. Channel catfish are also stacked up at the river mouths, with solid catches at Lapidum and across the Susquehanna flats.

White perch are making their migration out of the tributaries, and now is the time to target them with small spinners, grass shrimp, or bloodworms. If you’re craving some variety, the shad run is hanging on in the upper tidal rivers, and folks in Fletcher’s Cove, the Washington Channel, and Mattawoman have been racking up numbers on dart and spoon tandems or light flies. Carp fishing’s been sneaky good too—hair rigs with pack bait or boilies are pulling up big bruisers and the occasional channel cat.

For snakehead fans, the action remains lively in the tidal backwaters, with white paddletails and live minnows under a bobber being your best bet. As always, check out the backwaters off the Potomac and Patuxent for your shot at a real toothy surprise.

Top hotspots to consider this week: the mouth of the Magothy River for big blue cats, Sandy Point for mixed bag bottom fishing, and Fletcher’s Cove or the Washington Channel for shad and panfish action.

Best baits: fresh cut shad for cats, grass shrimp or bloodworm for perch, white paddletails or live minnows for snakeheads. For shad, small spoons, darts, or lightweight flies will do the trick.

That wraps up your Chesapeake Bay fishing snapshot—tight lines and good luck out there.

This is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Sunday, April 20, 2025, focusing on the Baltimore and DC region.

First light broke around 6:20 a.m. this morning, and sunset will be about 7:48 p.m. Winds are light out of the northwest and we have a mild spring day with scattered clouds and highs in the mid 60s. The tide is working through a morning low, pushing in through late morning and peaking midafternoon, which should help get the fish moving.

You’ll want to steer clear of striped bass for now. Maryland’s striped bass closure is still in effect across all Bay waters until May 16, so targeting them is off limits, but there’s still plenty of action to be had. Blue catfish are biting strong and are now the star of the show from Havre de Grace down to Pooles Island and all around the tidal tributaries. Anglers are reporting big numbers of blue cats, many running from 10 to 20 pounds, and some real bruisers over 40 getting pulled up this week. Channel catfish are active too, especially around Lapidum boat ramp, where a recent catch saw nearly a dozen channel cats, most around five pounds, caught on frozen shrimp.

For best results, bait up with fresh cut shad, menhaden, chicken breast, or shrimp. These have been landing the most fish, but blue cats aren’t picky so any fresh oily bait should work. Heavy sinkers are a must to hold bottom in the current. If you want to go the artificial route, large soft plastics and paddletails in bright colors have been catching fish too, but natural bait is tough to beat right now.

Hot spots today are the mouths of the tidal tributaries, especially in the Susquehanna, Bush, and Gunpowder rivers, as well as the area just north and south of the Bay Bridge. Hart Miller Island and Pooles Island are producing steady catfish action and are worth a stop if you are out in a boat.

Remember blue cats are invasive, so take as many as you can home for a fish fry or to share. And if you want to help the Bay, log your invasive catches with CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count for a shot at prizes.

That’s your April 20th report from Artificial Lure. Tackle up, enjoy the bite, and tight lines out there on the Chesapeake today.

This is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for April 19, 2025, focusing on the Baltimore and Washington D.C. region.

Let’s start with today’s conditions and tides. We’re looking at typical early spring temps, with some chilly mornings but warmer afternoons. Sunrise was right around 6:22 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:45 p.m. The forecast calls for light winds and a bit of overcast, with the rivers running a little high from recent rains. That means higher, maybe muddier water and improved action for bottom feeders and migratory species.

Tidal charts for today show a morning high tide peaking around 8:00 a.m. and a late afternoon low tide, making the window right after sunrise prime time for setting out lines—especially in the upper tributaries and around river mouths.

As for what’s biting: the striped bass season is closed in all Maryland Bay waters until May 16, so you can’t target or keep stripers right now. Focus instead on the hot blue catfish bite—they’re running strong and spreading down from Hart Miller and Pooles Island, even showing up just north of the Bay Bridge. Anglers this week have hauled in a mess of blue cats, with some fish in the 10 to 20 pound class and even a few pushing 40 pounds or more. These invasive cats aren’t just good eating—they’re plentiful and help the Bay when you take them out. You can even log your catches for the CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count for a shot at prizes.

Meanwhile, up in D.C. and the Potomac, the shad run is on fire. Folks are catching 30-plus shad in a day using shad darts, spoons, and, for the fly crowd, tiny shad flies. Catfish are also biting well on the Potomac—flatheads up to 38 inches in water 10 to 30 feet deep. The Potomac up near Fletcher’s Cove and Pooles Island have seen the most action. On the Middle Bay side, white perch are packed in thick at places like Triton Beach and local salt ponds—shrimp on shad darts under a bobber is the ticket there.

For lures and bait, bring cut bait or chicken breast for the blue cats—use it on a fish finder or Santee rig. For shad, try a tandem rig with bright darts or small spoons, and use a hint of scent. White perch are hitting grass shrimp or bloodworms under floats.

Hot spots this week are the mouth of the Patapsco near Hart Miller Island, just north of the Bay Bridge for catfish, and Fletcher’s Cove for shad and flathead cats. Also check the Severn for white perch. Pick your tide windows, and get on the water early.

That’s your report from Artificial Lure—tight lines and good luck out there.

Fishing report for Friday, April 18, 2025, brought to you by Artificial Lure:

The action is really heating up in and around the Chesapeake Bay as we get deeper into April. Sunrise this morning was at 6:23 am and sunset will be at 7:46 pm, giving you plenty of daylight to wet a line. The latest water temps are in the low to mid 50s and we’re seeing a warming trend this week, which has a lot of fish on the move and feeding[2].

Today’s tides for Baltimore: Low at 4:08 am, high at 10:46 am, low again at 6:32 pm, and another high at 11:32 pm[6]. We’ve got above-average tidal currents thanks to the recent full moon, so expect strong movement and plan to fish the moving water for the best action.

Up around Baltimore and the Upper Bay, the striped bass season is still closed in Maryland waters until May 16, but don’t let that stop you. Blue catfish are thick right now, especially from Hart-Miller Island down to Sandy Point, with fish coming in all sizes, including some pushing 30 pounds or more. The best bait has been fresh chunks of gizzard shad fished on the bottom[7]. Tolchester, Rock Hall, and the mouth of the Magothy River are definitely worth a try. White perch are also biting post-spawn—they’re running the channels in the rivers and can be found with bottom rigs baited with bloodworm or grass shrimp[2][7].

Downriver, the Potomac near D.C. is providing fantastic multi-species action. Shad are running hot, especially north of Fletchers Cove and the nearby river bends. Tandem shad darts, small spoons, or shad darts on a fly rod will keep your rod bent. Flathead and blue catfish are active as well, with the hot ticket being scented jerk shads or fluke-style plastics on heavy jig heads—don’t forget to add a scent attractant for more bites[1].

Snakehead fishing continues to ramp up in the grassy and brushy creeks of the Middle and Bush rivers, as well as the creeks off the Potomac. Try white paddletails or big minnows under a bobber, especially near newly emerging grass beds or shoreline brush[2][5][9].

Pickerel are still a good bet in the upper reaches of Magothy, Bodkin, and Patapsco creeks, hitting inline spinners and jerkbaits[7].

If you’re heading farther south, the bite for black drum is just picking up around the Middle Grounds and Target Ship—the best bait here is soft crab if you can find it, otherwise clam will do[2]. The lower Bay is seeing a mixed bag right now, with catfish, shad, and the first few red drum and flounder making appearances near the inlets[5].

Hot spots for today:
Sandy Point to Tolchester for blue cats, creeks off the Patapsco for white perch and pickerel, the Potomac near Fletchers Cove for shad and catfish, and the upper Bush and Middle rivers for snakeheads.

Best baits and lures:
Chunks of fresh gizzard shad or mud shad for catfish, bloodworm or shrimp for perch, tandem shad darts or spoons for shad, white paddletails and minnows for snakeheads, and soft crab or clam for black drum[8].

Stay safe out there and good luck—Artificial Lure signing off.

Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for April 16, 2025, covering the Baltimore and Washington D.C. region.

First light hit at 6:28 this morning, and we’ll have sun on the water until 7:42 tonight. The weather’s been cool, which slowed the warming trend, but daytime temps are forecasted in the 60s with winds at a manageable clip. Water temps in the main Bay are hanging in the upper 50s to low 60s, thanks to some brisk air over the last few days[9].

Tidal swings today at Point Lookout are as follows: high tide came through early at 4:03 am, so you’ll find falling water mid-morning with a low at 11:21 am, and then it rises again for a 4:29 pm high. These moving tides should help the bite, especially on catfish and perch[6].

Striped bass are strictly closed in all Maryland Bay waters through May 16, so put those striper plans on hold. Instead, blue catfish are the headliners right now. There’s been excellent action north of the Bay Bridge, especially from Hart Miller Island down to Sandy Point, with hot zones at Tolchester, Rock Hall, and the mouth of the Magothy. Anglers are hauling up blue cats in numbers, with some fish topping 30 pounds. Fresh cut gizzard shad on a fish finder rig is the ticket[1][7]. Channel cats are also biting well at the mouths of the northern tidal tribs, with some nice hauls at Lapidum and throughout the Susquehanna flats[2].

The shad run is peaking, with hickory shad stacked up in Octoraro and Deer Creek, and in the Potomac from Fletcher’s Cove north and Mattawoman Creek. Anglers are hitting a dozen or more shad per hour with chartreuse, red, or pink darts and small metal spoons. Bright colors are key in the stained flows from recent rain[2][5]. American shad are just starting to move in, especially in the D.C. stretch of the Potomac, so keep an eye out for those silver slabs.

White perch are finishing their spawn in the upper river stretches and are shifting back downstream. Look for them in deeper holes and channel edges around river bends, and fish bottom rigs with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small minnows for best results[9][8]. In the shallow Bay and tidal streams—think Bodkin Creek, upper Magothy, and creeks off the Patapsco—pickerel are another solid target. Try spinners, paddletails, or jerkbaits near laydowns and docks, especially on warmer afternoons[1][4].

For bait, fresh gizzard shad is king for catfish, but cut menhaden or chicken breast will do in a pinch. For panfish like perch or sunfish, bloodworms, grass shrimp, and garden worms are all proven go-tos. Chatterbaits and white swimbaits shine for snakeheads in the Blackwater area, especially around shallow grass and hard cover[8][7].

Hot spots to consider:
- Hart Miller Island to Sandy Point for blue cats
- Octoraro and Deer Creek for shad
- Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac for mixed shad and catfish action

Water’s chilly and fish are hungry. Grab the cut bait, find moving water, and enjoy some of the best spring action the Bay has to offer. Good luck out there and tight lines[1][2][6]!

Good morning anglers! Here’s your fishing report for Monday, April 14, 2025, focusing on the Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Today’s sunrise was at 6:31 AM, and sunset will be at 7:38 PM. Tides in the Chesapeake Bay are as follows: low tide at 6:41 AM, high tide at 11:43 AM, second low tide at 6:33 PM, and another high tide at 11:55 PM. The tide coefficient is high today, which means strong tidal movements—ideal for triggering fish activity.

The weather is looking favorable, with mild early spring conditions and light winds expected throughout most of the day. While temperatures are expected to remain comfortable, always check for sudden weather changes as they can impact water activity and fish behavior.

While the Maryland striped bass closure is in effect until May 16, blue catfish are stealing the spotlight in the area. These fish are abundant and active in the Upper Bay. The best spots to target them are near Hart Miller Island, the Bay Bridge, Sandy Point State Park, and the Magothy River mouth. Anglers have been pulling in some hefty catfish, with reports of specimens over 30 pounds. Use fresh chunks of gizzard shad on fish-finder rigs for consistent results.

White perch are also running in the tributaries, with some post-spawn yellow perch showing up in deeper waters. Bloodworms, grass shrimp, and minnows are solid bait choices for these species. Additionally, chain pickerel remain a solid spring target. Look for them in creeks like Bodkin Creek, Back Creek, and upper Patapsco tributaries. Effective lures include inline spinners, jerkbaits, and chatterbaits.

Hotspots to keep in mind today:
- **Hart Miller Island to Sandy Point**: Ideal for blue catfish.
- **Magothy River and local creeks off the Patapsco**: Excellent for pickerel and perch.

For anglers who prefer exploring freshwater reservoirs, Loch Raven and Liberty Reservoirs offer largemouth bass action. Pre-spawn bass are active in these waters and respond well to shad-colored baits and spinnerbaits near shallow coves and hard-bottom transition points.

To maximize your outing, match your bait to your target species. For blue catfish, fresh gizzard shad is unbeatable, while pickerel will strike at paddletails and chatterbaits. For perch, try bloodworms or grass shrimp.

Catch ‘em up, and tight lines!

Good morning anglers! Here’s your Chesapeake Bay area fishing report for Saturday, April 12, 2025. Today brings promising conditions, so grab your gear and hit the water.

The sun rose at 6:32 AM and will set at 7:39 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for some solid fishing. Tides for Baltimore are as follows: a high tide at 7:11 AM, another at 7:29 PM, and low tides at 1:06 AM and 2:03 PM. The tidal coefficient is high today, meaning stronger currents—good movement for fish activity.

Blue catfish are the stars of the show right now across the Chesapeake Bay. These invasive fish are abundant, especially from the Bay Bridge northward, with reports of anglers hauling in fish over 30 pounds near Sandy Point, Hart Miller Island, and the Tolchester area. They are being caught in depths of 5 to 15 feet using fresh cut gizzard shad on fish finder rigs. If you’re targeting catfish, now is a great time to sign up for CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count to log your catches and win prizes.

White perch are another solid target. They’ve been running up rivers like the Chester River, Bush River, and even the upper reaches of the Patapsco. Crappie-sized plastics or shad darts tipped with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or minnows are effective baits. If you head to Middle Bay creeks or salt ponds like Triton Beach, you can find white perch schooling near structure.

Pickerel are active in tributaries such as the upper Magothy, Bodkin Creek, and Back Creek. They’re around structure like fallen trees and docks. Use lures like inline spinners, chatterbaits, or paddletails for the best results.

In freshwater areas and tidal tributaries, crappie are schooling near sunken structures like brush piles and docks. Small minnows under slip bobbers or marabou jigs tend to get bites.

For hotspots, check the waters near the Bay Bridge for blue catfish or the upper reaches of the Magothy and Patapsco for pickerel and white perch. The Chester River near Crumpton is another excellent location for catfish. Lastly, Mason Springs offers productive shad fishing with dart and spoon rigs—bright colors like chartreuse are working well.

Weather-wise, expect early spring conditions with moderate temperatures and calm seas, providing ideal fishing weather. Pack your cut bait for blue cats, shad darts for perch and pickerel, and small crappie jigs for freshwater action.

Tight lines and good luck out there!

Good morning anglers! Here’s your fishing report for Friday, April 11, 2025, for the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The sunrise today is at 6:35 AM, and the sun will set at 7:35 PM, with plenty of daylight to enjoy some quality time on the water. The tide in the central Chesapeake Bay shows a low tide early this morning at 4:48 AM and a high tide peaking at 10:00 AM. Another low tide will follow at 4:55 PM, and the day wraps up with high tide again at 10:15 PM. The tidal coefficient is relatively high, which means strong currents are expected throughout the day, a great time to target predators on the move.

The weather forecast is favorable with mild temperatures reaching the mid-60s, sunshine, and light winds, making conditions ideal for fishing across the region. Water temperatures in many parts of the Bay are rising into the mid to upper 50s, encouraging springtime activity among many species.

While striped bass season remains closed in Maryland until May 16, there are still plenty of opportunities. Washington, D.C., and Potomac River anglers are experiencing an active shad run, with American and hickory shad hitting tandem spoons and shad darts, particularly in Fletcher’s Cove and near Mason Springs. Chartreuse and silver lures are the top producers here. For those targeting catfish, blue cats are abundant in the Upper Bay and Potomac. Hart Miller Island, Pooles Island, and the mouth of the Magothy River are all hot spots, with fish averaging 10-20 pounds but reaching up to 40 pounds. Fresh bunker chunks remain the bait of choice.

Pickerel fishing continues to heat up in the tributaries. Patapsco River creeks and other upper Bay areas with structures like fallen trees or docks are ideal spots. Spinners, chatterbaits, and jerkbaits are the go-to lures for this species. Blue catfish and pickerel provide steady action for those fishing near Baltimore and local rivers.

In the mid to lower portions of the Bay, black drum are starting to make their presence known along coastal beaches and structures like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) and Kiptopeke. Tautog are also active near rocky areas and wrecks, with fresh crab being the best bait.

Recommended baits for today include bloodworms, bunker, and grass shrimp for bottom fishing. Meanwhile, lures such as Storm WildEye Swim Shads, paddletails, and chatterbaits are performing well for targeting active predators like pickerel, snakeheads, and shad.

Hot spots today include Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac River for shad action and the Magothy River for blue catfish. If you venture further south, the CBBT remains a great area for black drum and tautog.

Tight lines and good luck out there! It’s shaping up to be a fantastic day to hit the water. Remember to fish responsibly and enjoy Maryland’s beautiful Chesapeake waters!