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 10th, 2025, at the Tangier Sound Light area of Chesapeake Bay, we're looking at a low tide at 3:55 AM and a high tide at 10:32 AM. The next low tide will be at 4:54 PM, and the final high tide of the day will be at 10:47 PM. These tidal changes can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly[2].

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 6:58 AM, and sunset will be at 5:37 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 very active and have been bending rods all over the Upper Chesapeake Bay. They are mostly schooled up in depths of 40' to 60' and can be found around the mouths of tidal rivers like the Perryville area. Live minnows are working best, but small artificial jigs are also enticing bites. Expect to catch some jumbos over 13” in the mix[1].

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[1][3].

Crappie action has also been good, especially in the upriver sections of tributaries where there is more freshwater influence. Areas like Oxon Cove on the upper Potomac, with its shorelines riddled with fallen wood, are productive spots. Fishing with crappie jigs around bridges and docks near the Washington Channel has also produced bites. Live minnows will likely be the best bait to use while water temperatures are still cold[3].

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 even through the ice. Now that the ice has melted, it's much easier for boats to get out and fish. Another spot is the mouths of the tidal rivers around Perryville, where yellow perch are staging before they move further into their spawning tributaries[1].

So, gear up, stay warm, and get out there – the fish aren't waiting for you to thaw out. Happy fishing