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Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report April 11 2025 - Shad, Catfish, Pickerel and More
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!
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!
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By Quiet. PleaseGood 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!
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!