Chesapeake Bay Baltimore Washington D.C. Daily Fishing Report

"Chesapeake Bay February Fishing - Perch, Catfish, and Crappie Action Await"


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Hey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on today's fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, particularly focusing on the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas.

First off, let's talk about the tides. For today, February 8th, 2025, at Chance, Chesapeake Bay, we're looking at a low tide at 3:55 AM and a high tide at 10:26 AM. The next low tide will be at 5:14 PM, and the final high tide of the day will be at 10:46 PM. These tidal shifts can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly.

Weather-wise, it's chilly, just what we expect in February. Make sure to bundle up because the cold can be biting. Sunrise is at 7:01 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water.

Now, let's dive into the fish activity. This time of year, the freshwater and tributary areas are where the action is. Yellow perch are already bending rods, especially around the Perryville area and in the mouths of other tidal rivers. These fish are mostly schooled up in depths of 40' to 60', and live minnows are working best, although small artificial jigs are also enticing bites. With the recent thaw, the fish are more active, and we've had reports of boat limits with some jumbos over 13” in the mix.

Blue catfish are another species that are abundant throughout the region and will bite in the cold winter months. They'll be holding along deeper ledges in the Susquehanna, Elk, and North East rivers. Fresh cut gizzard shad or eel are tried and true baits that usually get the blue cats biting. This is a great time to try for a trophy-sized fish, as the biggest ones are typically caught in the winter and spring.

In the upriver sections of the tributaries, crappie action has been good, especially around areas like Oxon Cove near Washington D.C. The shorelines here are riddled with fallen wood, and crappie often school up on the edges of this structure. Live minnows will likely be the best bait to use while water temperatures are still cold. Fishing at night around areas with illuminated water has also been productive despite the cold nighttime temperatures.

For those targeting other species, pickerel are also active in the deeper haunts of the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Dropping down tandems with minnows or using minnows on a bottom rig can get you into some nice action.

If you're looking for some hot spots, consider the Gunpowder River creeks and tributaries, which have been producing crappie, bass, and perch. The mouths of the Susquehanna, Elk, and North East rivers are also prime areas for both yellow perch and blue catfish.

So, gear up, stay warm, and get out there – the fish aren't waiting for spring to arrive. Happy fishing
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Chesapeake Bay Baltimore Washington D.C. Daily Fishing ReportBy Quiet. Please