CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING REPORT - April 30, 2025

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your midweek fishing update around the Chesapeake. Weather's been a bit erratic lately, but things are starting to stabilize as we head into May.

The shad run is still going strong but starting to taper off. If you want to get in on this action, better head out soon. Over at Mason Springs and Fletcher's Cove, anglers have been having epic days, with some folks landing over 100 fish between them! Silver spoons have been the top producer, but darts are working well too. For best results, give your lure 10-15 seconds of sink time when casting to the seams[1][2].

White perch are making their seasonal move down the Choptank River and spreading into smaller creeks and tidal rivers throughout the middle Bay. They've been biting well on grass shrimp rigged on shad darts under bobbers. Try slowly retrieving and popping the bobber, then letting it sit for a few seconds before repeating. This technique has been producing decent catches even in windy, colder conditions[1][4].

Blue catfish action has been heating up in the tidal rivers. A pair of kayakers on Totuskey Creek off the Rappahannock landed several good eating-sized cats and one monster over 30 pounds. Fresh cut gizzard shad and eel have been the top baits for these bruisers[2][3].

Snakehead fishing is improving as water temperatures rise. Look for them in emerging vegetation beds, especially in the upper sections of tidal rivers on the western side of the Bay. White paddletails rigged weedless or chatterbaits with white plastic trailers are getting the job done[3][4].

For you striper enthusiasts, remember the closure is still in effect for Maryland waters until May 16th, and even then, some areas will remain closed. Check the Maryland DNR regulation map before heading out[3].

Hot spots this week include:
1. Fletcher's Cove for shad fishing - the river's running low but Americans are pushing in and hickories are at peak form
2. Mattawoman Creek's upper reaches for shad
3. Totuskey Creek for blue cats
4. Tidal salt ponds throughout the Middle Bay for white perch

If you're planning to target invasive species like snakeheads, consider signing up for CCA Maryland's Great Chesapeake Invasives Count to help fisheries managers track their spread and get entered for monthly prize giveaways.

That's the report for today. The tide's turning and the fish are biting, so get out there while you can. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing to all you Chesapeake anglers!

Good morning folks, this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Wednesday, April 23rd. If you’re gearing up to hit the water around Virginia’s stretch of the Bay, here’s what you need to know.

The weather’s been on the wild side lately, with erratic swings and a persistent breeze coming in off the Bay. We’ve had a fair bit of recent rain, which has left the water levels a touch high, but thankfully the water clarity isn’t too bad[1]. Today we’ll see cloud cover and temperatures in the low 50s trending upward through the day. Sunrise is at 6:18 AM and sunset comes at 7:48 PM, giving you a solid window for both dawn and dusk bites.

The tides are running strong this week. Early morning sees a high tide tapering off around midday, with the outgoing tide peaking in the afternoon, so plan your trips around those moving waters for the best chances.

Now, onto the fish. The shad bite has been nothing short of phenomenal this week, especially in the tributaries and tidal rivers. Anglers drifting dart and spoon tandems or working a fly rod are tallying up dozens of American and hickory shad. The upper reaches of the Potomac and Mattawoman Creek are hot right now—active retrieves and changing up your cadence is key to finding fish willing to bite[1][2].

White perch are starting to trickle into the salt ponds and shallow creeks. Grass shrimp or small shad darts under a bobber have been the ticket—just don’t let that bobber sit for too long, a slow pop and a short pause seems to trigger more bites[1].

Catfishing is a bit hit-or-miss at the moment. Colder weather and rain have slowed the blue catfish action north of the Bay Bridge, but there are still a few around, and catches of both blue cats and the occasional flathead have been reported in the lower Potomac and James Rivers. At night, big cut bait—think chunks of gizzard shad or scented flukes—has produced some real bruisers, including fish over 30 pounds[2]. The bite should heat up more as the water warms and river flows increase.

For best bait and lures, stick with shad darts and small spoons for the shad. Grass shrimp or bloodworms on small hooks work for perch. For the catfish, heavy jigheads with scented plastics, big flukes, and cut bait are all drawing strikes. Make sure to add scent if you’re using artificials—unscented jigs are getting ignored right now[2].

Hotspots this week include the mouth of the Rappahannock River for shad and perch, and the lower James River near Dutch Gap for big blue cats. Don’t overlook the tidal creeks off Mobjack Bay either—these spots are holding plenty of perch as we warm up.

That’s your report. Pack some layers, pick your tides, and stay safe on the water. Tight lines from Artificial Lure!

This is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay Virginia fishing report for Monday, April 21, 2025.

First light hit at 6:28 a.m. today with sunset coming at 7:42 p.m., giving you a long, mild spring day to wet a line. Weather’s been on the cool side, but daytime temps are heading up into the 60s and light wind means it’s a good day to be on the Bay. Water temps across the lower Bay are in the upper 50s to low 60s, holding steady with the recent cooler air. Tides at Point Lookout saw high tide just after 4 a.m., low at 11:21 a.m., then another incoming tide peaking near 4:30 p.m. Moving water mid-morning and late afternoon should really turn on the bite, especially for catfish and perch.

The striped bass season is still closed throughout all Maryland Bay waters until mid-May, so stow the striper gear for now. Instead, blue catfish are stealing the show just about everywhere. The bite’s been excellent north of the Bay Bridge and is also solid in all the lower Bay tidal rivers. Folks are hauling up blue cats well into the double-digits and even topping 30 pounds in places like the mouths of the James and Rappahannock rivers and around the Tolchester and Rock Hall areas. Best bet for bait is fresh-cut gizzard shad or menhaden on a fish finder rig. Channel catfish are also plentiful at the river mouths and flats.

White perch are finishing up their runs and starting to move downriver, so targeting creek mouths and lower river stretches with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small spinner jigs should fill the cooler. Anglers working the upper reaches of the Bay tributaries report steady action on shad—dart and spoon tandems are the ticket, and fly anglers are scoring them too, especially up on the Mattawoman, Rappahannock, and James Rivers.

If you’re after something different, black drum are starting to show on the eastern side near the Middle Grounds, Target Ship, and Mud Leads. The drum want fresh soft crab if you can get it, but frozen soft crab or even clams can get the job done. Watch your sounder for big marks close to the bottom and drop bait right to them.

Hot spots to try today:
Look for blue catfish near the mouth of the James River around the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel and up the Rappahannock near Tappahannock. For mixed bag action, White House and Tangier Sound always draw a crowd this time of year. Those after black drum should hit the Middle Grounds when the tide starts moving.

Best lures:
Cut bait (gizzard shad, menhaden) for catfish, small paddletail plastics for white perch, tandem darts and spoons for shad, and chunks of soft crab for black drum.

That’s your report for today—tight lines and save me a spot at the rail!

Chesapeake Bay anglers got treated to another action-packed weekend. The morning started with a brisk chill, temps hovering in the mid-50s, and a light westerly breeze coming off a weather front that moved through late last night. Expect partly cloudy skies today, with highs reaching the low 60s by midday. Sunrise was right before 6:20 am and expect a sunset around 7:45 pm. Tides are running close to the new moon, so expect strong moving water with high tide mid-morning and low tide pushing late afternoon.

Fishing remains hot this week across both the main Bay and the rivers. The shad run is in full swing up the Potomac, Rappahannock, and James Rivers. Reports out of Mattawoman and Fletcher’s Cove have anglers hooking up with double digits of American and hickory shad, with dart and spoon tandems getting the most bites. Fly anglers tossing flashy streamers are also doing well, so bring your fly rod if you’re itching for some topwater action. River sections near Fredericksburg and Richmond are packed with shad, and plenty of folks are pulling in a mixed bag with the occasional big catfish and even a few carp on hair rigs and pack bait.

Down toward the Lower Bay, Cape Charles and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are holding a mix of big blue catfish and steady numbers of white perch. The blue cats are getting active as the water warms, and soaking fresh cut bunker or chicken livers off deeper ledges is the ticket. White perch are hitting best on grass shrimp or bloodworms fished on darts under a bobber, especially on the outgoing tide.

Striped bass season is closed in Maryland and most Virginia Bay areas until mid-May, but you can still catch plenty of action with shad, cats, and perch. If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots, try the mouth of the Rappahannock for shad, the upper Potomac near Chain Bridge, and the deep holes off Cape Charles for trophy blue cats.

Best lures this week have been chartreuse and pink shad darts, small silver spoons for shad, and cut bait for the catfish. For perch, stick to live bloodworms or grass shrimp worked slowly along the bottom. The action is good—get out there while the spring bite is on, and remember to check your regs before targeting any species with closed seasons. Good luck and tight lines from your pal, Artificial Lure.

This is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for today, April 19, 2025.

We’re coming off an action-packed week across the Bay tributaries. Early spring conditions have really kicked the bite into gear, especially in the Lower Bay rivers. Recent rain bumped up the river flows, which is always good news for shad and catfish. Look for shad to be holding tight to the bottom and responding well to both shad darts and metal spoons. Most anglers are doing well with dart/spoon tandems, and some have had luck on tiny shad darts with fly rods. On the Potomac, folks were catching over 30 shad in a session, along with blue catfish and some nice flatheads. For the cats, scented soft plastics like seven-inch flukes and Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz on heavy jigheads are working best. Make sure your bait has some scent on it; unscented baits didn’t get touched this week. The biggest bites have come from 20 to 30 feet of water, but don’t overlook shallower spots—one flathead pushing 38 inches came from just 10 feet deep. On the James, night trips are producing blue cats from 30 to 55 pounds, so if you’re after heavyweight fish, that’s the ticket right now. High, muddy water has these cats on the chew and conditions should get even better if rain keeps up.

Up in the Upper Bay and Maryland tributaries, striped bass are closed until May 16, but blue catfish are making up for it in a big way. Anglers running trotlines just north of the Bay Bridge are loading up on blue cats, with many fish coming in between 10 and 20 pounds, and a few over 40. These cats are invasive and tasty, so take as many as you like.

Pan fishing is gradually ramping up in the upper reaches of tributaries on the Eastern Shore—yellow and white perch are starting to show in good numbers in places like Tuckahoe, Greensboro and north into the Sassafras. Jigging small soft plastics or using minnow-tipped rigs in 5 feet or deeper water has been a solid tactic for both perch species.

As for the best lures and bait this week: Scented soft plastics and jigs have dominated for catfish, with fresh cut bait second best. For shad and perch, stick with small darts, spoons, and tiny grubs or minnows. Fly anglers will do well swinging small, flashy flies close to bottom structure.

Weather is classic April: expect daytime highs in the upper 50s to 60s with variable cloud cover. Sunrise is right around 6:21 am and sunset at 7:45 pm, so you’ll have plenty of daylight. Keep an eye on the tide charts—peak tidal flows today are midday, which should line up perfectly with the hottest bites for both shad and catfish.

For hotspots, try the mouth of the Rappahannock for cats, or the deep holes near Fletchers Cove for shad and flathead. Up north, the area from the Bay Bridge to Hart Miller Island is loaded with blue cats right now.

That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Tight lines and see you on the water.

Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay, Virginia fishing report for Friday, April 18, 2025.

We started the morning with a low tide around 4:29 am and can expect another low at 4:20 pm. High tides are hitting around 10:22 am and then again late tonight. Tidal coefficient’s up there today, so expect strong currents and water movement, especially around tidal changes—not a bad thing for pulling a bite. Sunrise was right at 6:21 am and sunset’s coming at 7:28 pm, giving us over 13 hours of daylight to wet a line[6].

Weather’s on the unstable side with some on-and-off rain over the last week and a general warming trend. Surface temps are in the low to mid-50s, and river temps are creeping up. With all this high water lately and a bit of mud, conditions in the Western Shore tributaries are changing fast, but that’s got the catfish and shad fired up[2][5].

Blue catfish are the big story in the major rivers—the Potomac, Rappahannock, and James. Plenty of fish in the 20-40 pound class, and some even bigger. The best action’s coming from cut bait on the bottom—mud shad, chicken breast, chunks of crab, or menhaden are all solid. Just get it into a deep hole or the channel and hang on[1][5][8]. Catfish are biting just about everywhere right now, especially when the water’s high and dirty.

The shad run is still on. Anglers are doing well in the upper Potomac, James, and Rappahannock with small spoons and shad darts. Put your line down deep, particularly near Fletchers Cove and Chain Bridge. Some days are a bit hit or miss, depending on how muddy the water is, but when you find a pocket of fish, it can be nonstop action[1][5][7].

Snakeheads are increasingly active in the feeder creeks off the Potomac and Rappahannock. Big bull minnow under a bobber works, but with water temps rising, try topwater frogs or white paddletails around brush and emerging grass. Some bonus crappie and largemouth are in the mix, too[2][5].

Down closer to the Bay proper and in the inlets, Oceans East Tackle Shop is reporting flounder, black and red drum, stripers (rockfish), and some bluefish. Flounder are hitting on jigs and soft plastics, while black drum are taking clams, sand fleas, or crab on the shoals—Cape Charles and Latimer Shoals are two spots to focus on, while the Cabbage Patch and the shoals near Kiptopeke are also producing. At the CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel), tautog are going for sand fleas and green crab[5].

Best hot spots this week: Try the mouth of the Rappahannock for catfish, Fletchers Cove on the Potomac for shad, feeder creeks off the Potomac for snakehead, and the Cape Charles shoals or CBBT for drum and flounder action.

If you’re chasing perch, look for them heading downriver from spawning grounds—bottom rigs with bloodworm or grass shrimp are the go-to[2][8].

For lures: Z-Man soft plastics on jigheads, shad darts, small spoons for shad, and white paddletails for snakehead are top picks. For bait, it’s hard to beat cut shad, menhaden, or chicken for cats, bloodworm for perch, and crab or clam for drum[5][8].

That’s today’s scoop. The bite is on, so grab your gear, watch your tide, and give those fish something to chew on. Good luck out there!

Morning folks this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for April 16 2025. We’re finally into that true spring swing and the Bay is serving up some solid action if you know where to look and what to target.

Let’s start with the conditions. Today sunrise hit at 628am and sunset will be at 740pm. High tide came just after midnight around 129am with another high at 1252pm. Low tides are at 753am and again at 740pm so plan your trip around that moving water for best results. We’ve had cooler temps lately but it’s typical for this time of year. Winds are light but watch for quick changes if a front rolls through. The tidal coefficient is high today so expect some good moving water and active fish especially with these spring tides pushing bait around the shallows and river mouths[6][10].

Now for the fishing. Striped bass are still off limits in all Maryland Bay waters until May 16 so leave the rockfish gear at home for now unless you’re over on the Virginia side or fishing Potomac mainstem in DC or VA where catch and release is still allowed. If you’re in those Virginia or open Potomac areas jigging with three quarter ounce heads and Z Man soft plastics along shorelines in about six feet has turned up plenty of 20 inch class schoolies and even some bigger models. Handle those big fish with care and get them back in quick so they can finish spawning[3].

The real stars right now are blue catfish. They’re everywhere from the Upper Bay down to the James River with some true tanks over 30 pounds hauled up this week. Fresh cut gizzard shad is the hottest bait and don’t overlook eel or big chunks of white perch if you have them. Fish finder rigs or a high low catfish rig with two big baits can really stack up the numbers. Look for cats around Sandy Point, mouth of the Magothy, Hart Miller Island, and the deeper channels of the James and Potomac. If you want the most action hit the outgoing tide at the river mouths[1][3][4][7].

White perch are on the move back down the rivers after their spawn so you’ll start to find them clustered in deeper holes mid river on bloodworms, grass shrimp, or bottom-rigged shad darts. The Choptank, Nanticoke, and Patuxent all still holding plenty of perch if you want a fish fry. Pickerel are still biting too especially on the Eastern Shore creeks and upper Magothy. Inline spinners, jerkbaits, and small paddletails are best near structure like fallen trees[1][2][9].

Hickory shad are running strong in the upper Potomac around Fletchers Cove and up the Susquehanna and Choptank. Small spoons and shad darts in bright colors are picking up dozens of fish. Snakeheads and largemouth bass are also getting active in the grassy shallows with chatterbaits and dark soft plastics working well[3][5][7].

Top hotspots this week are Hart Miller to Sandy Point for blue cats, Fletchers Cove for shad, Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River for perch and pickerel, and the deep holes in the lower James for catfish. Don’t forget to report your invasive catches for a shot at CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count prizes.

Best baits are fresh cut gizzard shad or perch for cats, bloodworms or grass shrimp for perch, and shad darts or spoons for shad. For lures, think Z Man paddletails, jerkbaits, and chatterbaits for bass and pickerel.

That’s the bite for today. Tight lines and see you on the water!

Good morning, anglers! Here's your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for April 14, 2025. Sunrise today was at 6:31 AM, and sunset will be at 7:38 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to hit the water. Here's what you can expect:

The tides today at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are as follows:
- Low tide: 3:51 AM (0.14 ft)
- High tide: 9:54 AM (2.37 ft)
- Low tide: 3:43 PM (0.24 ft)
- High tide: 10:10 PM (2.91 ft)

The tidal coefficient is high today, meaning stronger currents that can stir up fish activity, especially around structure.

Now, let’s talk fish! White perch are biting well in tributaries like the Patuxent River and Jug Bay. Try bottom rigs tipped with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or nightcrawlers for consistent results. Blue catfish are also active in deeper channels, biting on cut bait such as bunker or gizzard shad. Reports from the Potomac indicate catfish in the 10-20 pound range, with occasional monsters coming in at 30 pounds or more.

In the shallows of the lower Chesapeake, anglers are finding speckled trout and puppy drum near shoreline structures and grass flats. Mobjack Bay, Lynnhaven Bay, and Pocomoke Sound are prime locations. Use popping corks paired with 3-4 inch paddletails in natural or white hues. For lures, suspending twitchbaits like MirrOlure are also a great choice.

The striped bass closure remains in effect for Maryland waters, but catch-and-release fishing is allowed in Virginia and D.C. waters. Stripers are often found near shorelines or structure; a jighead with soft plastic in chartreuse or white has been highly effective for those targeting them.

Recommended hotspots today include:
- The lower James River for puppy drum and speckled trout.
- The Patuxent River for white perch and blue catfish.
- Lynnhaven Bay for a mix of species, especially trout and drum.

The weather is looking solid with mild conditions. Be sure to bring along your favorite baits: bloodworms for panfish, bunker and gizzard shad for catfish, and soft plastics for drum and trout. Whether you're jigging, bottom fishing, or trolling, today promises some great opportunities in Chesapeake Bay! Tight lines, everyone!

Good morning anglers, it’s April 13, 2025, and we’ve got a great day of fishing lined up around the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Let’s dive into the conditions and the bites you can expect today.

The sun rose at 6:32 AM and will set at 7:37 PM, giving us plenty of time to hit the water. The tides today show low water at 6:05 AM and 6:00 PM, with high tides at 11:09 AM and 11:22 PM. These tidal swings, coupled with a high tidal coefficient nearing 79 by evening, mean we’re looking at strong water movement, which is excellent for fishing.

The current weather is brisk from lingering cool conditions, with Chesapeake Bay water temperatures sitting just above 50°F. This cooler water is slowing the warming process, but fish activity hasn’t waned. Targeting shallower, sunlit areas in the tributaries might yield better results today as they warm up faster.

With striped bass season closed until May 16 in these parts, the focus is on other thriving species. Blue catfish are the stars of the show right now. These invasive giants are biting aggressively, with catches exceeding 30 pounds reported consistently. Anglers are having exceptional success between Hart Miller Island and Sandy Point, with Tolchester and the Magothy River mouth noted as hotspots. Fresh cut gizzard shad or chunks of eel on fish finder rigs are proving most effective. Don't forget, removing invasive blue catfish from the waters is both encouraged and delicious!

White perch are moving back to their summer habitats, and catches are strong in the lower tidal rivers. Dropping bloodworms or grass shrimp on bottom rigs works perfectly for these panfish. Hickory shad are also running in numbers in the Susquehanna and Deer Creek areas, taking brightly colored shad darts, gold spoons, and small flies.

For the lure enthusiasts, pickerel action in the Bay’s tributaries is hot. Focus on creeks like Back Creek, Bodkin Creek, and the upper Magothy River, casting jerkbaits, chatterbaits, or inline spinners near fallen trees and docks. The pickerel are post-spawn and aggressive right now.

For bait recommendations, fresh or live options are plentiful. Bloodworms and grass shrimp are best for white perch, while blue catfish prefer cut bait like bunker or eel. If you're fishing for pickerel, paddle tails and soft plastics will do the trick.

If you’re looking for some top fishing spots today, head to the Upper Bay near Sandy Point State Park or the Tolchester area for catfish. For perch and pickerel, try the Magothy River or creeks off the Patapsco. Shad anglers should gear up for a productive day at Deer Creek.

Good luck out there, and tight lines to all!

Fishing in Chesapeake Bay today, April 12, promises to be productive for anglers targeting a variety of species. Sunrise was at 6:34 AM, and sunset will be at 7:36 PM, offering plenty of daylight for fishing. Tides today in the Chesapeake region are as follows: low tide at 5:27 AM, high tide at 10:35 AM, another low tide at 5:28 PM, and the final high tide of the day at 10:49 PM. These significant tidal movements—supported by a high tidal coefficient of 79—indicate strong currents, which should boost fish activity, especially in areas with good structure like bridges, jetties, and reefs.

The current weather is relatively mild, with clear skies and calm winds, making it an ideal day on the water. The striped bass season remains closed in Maryland waters, but there's no shortage of other species to target. Blue catfish fishing is heating up significantly, particularly in the northern and tidal tributaries of the Bay. Anglers have been reporting excellent action near the Chester River as well as the confluence of the Susquehanna and Elk rivers, with blue catfish caught on cut bait such as bunker or oily white perch.

White perch are also running strong in the tributaries, with anglers finding success using bloodworms, grass shrimp, and small minnows. These fish have moved upriver for their spawning runs and are thick in areas like the Patuxent and Chester rivers. Yellow perch, though post-spawn, are still being caught in nearby tributaries. For these, lip-hooked minnows and small jigs fished in deeper channels are reliable choices.

Shad fishing is another exciting option, with hickory shad being caught below the Conowingo Dam and at Deer Creek. Red and green shad darts, as well as small spoons, are the top-performing lures. The bite often improves during the evening hours when dams release water.

Pickerel fishing is also excellent in creeks and smaller tributaries with structure such as fallen trees and docks. Spinners, paddletails, and jerkbaits are proving to be very effective for these ambush predators.

Two recommended fishing hotspots for today include:

1. **York River Tidal Flats**: Target blue catfish and white perch using cut bait or bloodworms. The tidal movements here should keep the action steady throughout the day.

2. **Mouth of the Patuxent River**: This area should produce excellent catches of white and yellow perch. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times to fish these waters.

Optimal baits for today’s Chesapeake Bay fishing include bloodworms, grass shrimp, and oily cut bait like bunker or perch. Anglers looking for artificials might do well with spinners for pickerel or shad darts for hickory shad.

Tight lines and good luck! The conditions today seem primed for a rewarding day of fishing around Chesapeake Bay.