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 9th, 2025, at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, we're looking at a high tide at 5:57 AM and a low tide at 12:15 PM, followed by another high tide at 6:14 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 6:59 AM, and sunset will be at 5:38 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, and the fishing has been good recently. Most of these fish are being caught around the Perryville area and in the mouths of other tidal rivers. Live minnows are working best, but small artificial jigs are also enticing bites. These perch are mostly schooled up in depths of 40' to 60' and will stay staged at the mouths of the tidal rivers for a few more weeks before moving further into their spawning tributaries.

Blue catfish are another species that are abundant throughout the region and will bite in the cold winter months. They will 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 freshwater sections of the Upper Chesapeake Bay, crappie and pickerel are also active. These fish don't mind the super-cold water temps, so you can find them in the deeper haunts. Dropping down tandems with minnows or using minnows on a bottom rig can get you into some nice action. For crappie, areas like Oxon Cove near Washington D.C. are productive, especially around fallen wood structures where crappie often school up.

If you're looking for some hot spots, the Gunpowder River creeks and tributaries have been producing crappie, bass, and perch, especially after the ice melted. The upriver sections of the Potomac River, particularly around the Washington Channel and bridges, are also good for crappie. For blue catfish, focus on the deeper ledges in the Susquehanna, Elk, and North East rivers.

In summary, today's fishing in and around Chesapeake Bay looks promising, especially for yellow perch and blue catfish. Make sure to dress warmly, plan around the tides, and use the right baits to increase your chances of a successful catch. Happy fishing