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"Spring Fishing Report for the Chesapeake: Shad, Perch, and Catfish Bite Strong"
Fishing Report for Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore/Washington D.C. – April 30, 2025
Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh update from the Bay.
Today’s sunrise was at 6:06 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:57 p.m. We’re looking at water temps in the middle Bay holding around 56 degrees, with a touch warmer waters closer to the river mouths like the Choptank at 64. Expect cooler air this morning, with a steady breeze after a run of erratic April weather. The tides today are running strong—midday incoming is prime time if you’re looking to work the shorelines or creek mouths.
The spring bite is shaping up well despite some recent cold and rain. The main event right now is the ongoing shad run. Hickory shad are at peak action, with dozens per trip being caught at Fletcher’s Cove and up around the upper Patuxent and Potomac. Tandem rigged shad darts and silver or gold spoons are the ticket, with pink, chartreuse, white, and red all producing. Cast to the deeper runs and current seams, especially during early and late hours for the best action.
White perch are settling into their summer haunts, spreading down the Choptank and into the creeks and tidal rivers. These feisty fish are eager to bite, providing steady action off docks and shorelines. The best bite is on grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on bottom rigs, though small spinners and soft plastics will get hit in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are routinely catching a dozen or more in short trips.
Catfish action is heating up too, mainly channel and blue cats in virtually every tidal river and creek. The blue cat bite north of the Bay Bridge is still a bit slow due to lingering cold, but fish are in the nets and will turn on with a warming trend. Cut bait and chicken liver are best for these opportunists.
Northern snakeheads are increasingly active in the thickening grass beds, especially in the upper Potomac and Patuxent. Weedless white paddletails and white chatterbaits are drawing explosive hits. Cast tight to grass and be ready—these fish are ambush artists.
A quick reminder: Striped bass season remains closed until May 16. Some big fish are around, but it’s strictly catch-and-release if you accidentally hook one.
For hot spots, give the creeks around the Choptank and the grass beds on the upper Patuxent a try for perch and snakehead. Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac is hands down the shad capital right now.
Best of luck out there—tight lines and bent rods from Artificial Lure!
Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh update from the Bay.
Today’s sunrise was at 6:06 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:57 p.m. We’re looking at water temps in the middle Bay holding around 56 degrees, with a touch warmer waters closer to the river mouths like the Choptank at 64. Expect cooler air this morning, with a steady breeze after a run of erratic April weather. The tides today are running strong—midday incoming is prime time if you’re looking to work the shorelines or creek mouths.
The spring bite is shaping up well despite some recent cold and rain. The main event right now is the ongoing shad run. Hickory shad are at peak action, with dozens per trip being caught at Fletcher’s Cove and up around the upper Patuxent and Potomac. Tandem rigged shad darts and silver or gold spoons are the ticket, with pink, chartreuse, white, and red all producing. Cast to the deeper runs and current seams, especially during early and late hours for the best action.
White perch are settling into their summer haunts, spreading down the Choptank and into the creeks and tidal rivers. These feisty fish are eager to bite, providing steady action off docks and shorelines. The best bite is on grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on bottom rigs, though small spinners and soft plastics will get hit in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are routinely catching a dozen or more in short trips.
Catfish action is heating up too, mainly channel and blue cats in virtually every tidal river and creek. The blue cat bite north of the Bay Bridge is still a bit slow due to lingering cold, but fish are in the nets and will turn on with a warming trend. Cut bait and chicken liver are best for these opportunists.
Northern snakeheads are increasingly active in the thickening grass beds, especially in the upper Potomac and Patuxent. Weedless white paddletails and white chatterbaits are drawing explosive hits. Cast tight to grass and be ready—these fish are ambush artists.
A quick reminder: Striped bass season remains closed until May 16. Some big fish are around, but it’s strictly catch-and-release if you accidentally hook one.
For hot spots, give the creeks around the Choptank and the grass beds on the upper Patuxent a try for perch and snakehead. Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac is hands down the shad capital right now.
Best of luck out there—tight lines and bent rods from Artificial Lure!
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By Quiet. PleaseFishing Report for Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore/Washington D.C. – April 30, 2025
Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh update from the Bay.
Today’s sunrise was at 6:06 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:57 p.m. We’re looking at water temps in the middle Bay holding around 56 degrees, with a touch warmer waters closer to the river mouths like the Choptank at 64. Expect cooler air this morning, with a steady breeze after a run of erratic April weather. The tides today are running strong—midday incoming is prime time if you’re looking to work the shorelines or creek mouths.
The spring bite is shaping up well despite some recent cold and rain. The main event right now is the ongoing shad run. Hickory shad are at peak action, with dozens per trip being caught at Fletcher’s Cove and up around the upper Patuxent and Potomac. Tandem rigged shad darts and silver or gold spoons are the ticket, with pink, chartreuse, white, and red all producing. Cast to the deeper runs and current seams, especially during early and late hours for the best action.
White perch are settling into their summer haunts, spreading down the Choptank and into the creeks and tidal rivers. These feisty fish are eager to bite, providing steady action off docks and shorelines. The best bite is on grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on bottom rigs, though small spinners and soft plastics will get hit in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are routinely catching a dozen or more in short trips.
Catfish action is heating up too, mainly channel and blue cats in virtually every tidal river and creek. The blue cat bite north of the Bay Bridge is still a bit slow due to lingering cold, but fish are in the nets and will turn on with a warming trend. Cut bait and chicken liver are best for these opportunists.
Northern snakeheads are increasingly active in the thickening grass beds, especially in the upper Potomac and Patuxent. Weedless white paddletails and white chatterbaits are drawing explosive hits. Cast tight to grass and be ready—these fish are ambush artists.
A quick reminder: Striped bass season remains closed until May 16. Some big fish are around, but it’s strictly catch-and-release if you accidentally hook one.
For hot spots, give the creeks around the Choptank and the grass beds on the upper Patuxent a try for perch and snakehead. Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac is hands down the shad capital right now.
Best of luck out there—tight lines and bent rods from Artificial Lure!
Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh update from the Bay.
Today’s sunrise was at 6:06 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:57 p.m. We’re looking at water temps in the middle Bay holding around 56 degrees, with a touch warmer waters closer to the river mouths like the Choptank at 64. Expect cooler air this morning, with a steady breeze after a run of erratic April weather. The tides today are running strong—midday incoming is prime time if you’re looking to work the shorelines or creek mouths.
The spring bite is shaping up well despite some recent cold and rain. The main event right now is the ongoing shad run. Hickory shad are at peak action, with dozens per trip being caught at Fletcher’s Cove and up around the upper Patuxent and Potomac. Tandem rigged shad darts and silver or gold spoons are the ticket, with pink, chartreuse, white, and red all producing. Cast to the deeper runs and current seams, especially during early and late hours for the best action.
White perch are settling into their summer haunts, spreading down the Choptank and into the creeks and tidal rivers. These feisty fish are eager to bite, providing steady action off docks and shorelines. The best bite is on grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on bottom rigs, though small spinners and soft plastics will get hit in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are routinely catching a dozen or more in short trips.
Catfish action is heating up too, mainly channel and blue cats in virtually every tidal river and creek. The blue cat bite north of the Bay Bridge is still a bit slow due to lingering cold, but fish are in the nets and will turn on with a warming trend. Cut bait and chicken liver are best for these opportunists.
Northern snakeheads are increasingly active in the thickening grass beds, especially in the upper Potomac and Patuxent. Weedless white paddletails and white chatterbaits are drawing explosive hits. Cast tight to grass and be ready—these fish are ambush artists.
A quick reminder: Striped bass season remains closed until May 16. Some big fish are around, but it’s strictly catch-and-release if you accidentally hook one.
For hot spots, give the creeks around the Choptank and the grass beds on the upper Patuxent a try for perch and snakehead. Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac is hands down the shad capital right now.
Best of luck out there—tight lines and bent rods from Artificial Lure!