Maryland Trout Season Opens Saturday; Bay Fishing Heats Up as Spring Arrives

Maryland's traditional trout season kicks off Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. in central and western regions. Meanwhile, warmer spring weather is bringing improved fishing conditions across the Chesapeake Bay for striped bass, white perch, and blue catfish.

With spring officially here, Maryland fishing enthusiasts are gearing up for the traditional start of trout season. Waters designated as “closure 1” trout management areas in the central and western parts of the state will open for fishing Saturday, March 28 at 6:30 a.m., following recent stocking efforts.

Last Saturday’s Youth Trout Fishing Day proved highly successful, with young anglers like Jack Proctor enjoying memorable outings with family members. The event brought smiles to both children and their proud parents throughout the state.

Weekly Fishing Forecast: March 25-31

As daylight hours extend and temperatures climb, Chesapeake Bay waters continue their gradual warming process, encouraging gamefish to move toward spawning areas. Current buoy readings show main Bay and river mouth surface temperatures holding steady in the mid-40s, while smaller rivers and streams register temperatures around 50 degrees. Protected streams and downwind locations on sunny days often reach the mid-50s, creating ideal conditions for yellow perch as they migrate upstream from winter habitats to prepare for spawning in Maryland waters over the coming weeks.

Most Maryland rivers and streams are experiencing typical flow levels for this time of year. Water clarity remains average throughout most Maryland sections of the Bay and tributary rivers.

Upper Chesapeake Bay Conditions

The lower Susquehanna River and uppermost Bay areas continue experiencing murky water conditions, though most woody debris has now washed ashore. Anglers targeting striped bass in the Susquehanna Flats during catch-and-release season are seeing mixed results. Popular techniques include using large paddletail lures and rattling crankbaits along channel edges. Some fishermen are trying cut bait such as gizzard shad or menhaden, which also attracts large blue catfish that can be harvested. Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks, with 9/0 being an effective size for both large striped bass and blue catfish.

Catch-and-release fishing is permitted within specific upper Bay boundaries: the Susquehanna Flats upstream from a line connecting Sandy Point to Turkey Point, the Susquehanna River downstream from a line linking the Susquehanna State Park boat ramp at Lapidum to Twin Rocks to Tomes Wharf in Port Deposit, and the Northeast River.

Below the dam in the lower Susquehanna River, anglers are finding smallmouth bass and occasional walleye using jigs and crankbaits in fast-moving water over rocky bottoms. Largemouth bass fishing is productive in the Susquehanna Flats as grass beds begin emerging.

Blue catfish are providing excellent fishing opportunities throughout the upper Bay, from the Bay Bridge to Conowingo Dam. Some of the year’s largest blue catfish are currently active in the Bay, with tidal rivers also hosting active populations due to warming temperatures. Most cut baits or scented baits work well on traditional single hook bottom rigs or sliding sinker rigs paired with 8/0 or 9/0 non-offset circle hooks.

White perch anglers have exciting opportunities this week as fish move into tidal spawning rivers. The Bush, Gunpowder, Magothy, Chester, and Sassafras rivers are prime locations, while the Susquehanna River will be productive later due to cold water from Conowingo Dam. Small 1/16-ounce to 1/8-ounce jig heads with lip-hooked minnows or grass shrimp prove most effective.

Middle Bay Report

Striped bass catch-and-release fishing is available in the main middle Bay waters, though tidal rivers remain closed. Bay temperatures are holding in the upper 40s this week. Trolling along steep channel edges is popular, with regulations requiring barbless lure hooks, no stinger hooks, and maximum six lines. Jigging along channel edges or over fish located on depth finders offers exciting action using large soft plastic jigs of six inches or longer.

White perch are moving up the Choptank River and Tuckahoe Creek, with the first males reaching as far upstream as Greensboro and below Hillsboro on the Tuckahoe. Water temperatures measure 58 degrees at Denton and 52 degrees at Cambridge. Effective techniques include small jig heads or shad darts with grass shrimp or small minnows, or bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp, minnows, or bloodworm pieces.

Blue catfish action improves weekly as warmer temperatures activate smaller and medium-sized fish, while catfish exceeding 20 pounds have been active for weeks.

Lower Bay Opportunities

The lower Bay provides some of the week’s best striped bass catch-and-release fishing. Trolling and jigging are both popular methods, with trolling requiring barbless hooks, no stinger hooks, and maximum six lines. Bait fishing requires non-offset circle hooks.

Exciting news comes from District of Columbia waters, where the season’s first hickory shad were caught at Fletchers Landing. Hickory shad have entered Mattawoman Creek, providing enjoyable catch-and-release opportunities using small flashy spoons, shad darts, and colorful flies.

White perch spawning runs are creating excellent fishing this week in the Little Choptank, Nanticoke, Wicomico, Pocomoke, Patuxent, and Potomac rivers. Grass shrimp, small minnows, or bloodworm pieces work best, presented on small jig heads, under bobbers, or on bottom rigs depending on water depth.

Crappie fishing is productive whether targeting white perch with small minnows or fishing specifically for crappie near structure in non-tidal ponds, reservoirs, or tidal rivers. Look for fish around fallen treetops, sunken brush, bridge piers, and marina docks.

Blue catfish provide exciting action in the tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers. These fish are very active, with channel areas offering the best fishing locations. Gizzard shad remains the preferred cut bait, though menhaden, white perch, chicken liver, and various scented baits work well on 8/0 or 9/0 circle hooks with sliding sinker rigs.

Freshwater Fishing Update

March 28 marks the major day for put-and-take trout anglers, as closure 1 trout management waters open at 6:30 a.m. for the traditional season opener. All locations have been stocked for this event, with each site receiving some large trout exceeding 26 inches. Other trout management waters not previously closed remain open. Morning conditions may be chilly, but fair weather is forecast. Powerbait doughballs will be the most popular bait choice, followed by garden worms. Anglers with space can cast small spinners and spoons, while fly fishermen can use nymphs.

Largemouth bass fishing is in full swing as fish feed aggressively to rebuild energy stores lost during winter. Water temperatures generally reach the 50s in most ponds, reservoirs, and upper tidal rivers, creating comfortable conditions for bass at various depths near structure. Effective lures include soft plastics like paddletails, jigs, and rigged creature baits, plus lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits in transitional depths. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing remains catch-and-release only until June 16.

Spring offers prime crappie fishing in both tidal and non-tidal waters as fish hold near submerged structure before spawning. Target fallen treetops, sunken wood and brush, bridge piers, and marina docks using small minnows as bait.

Chain pickerel can be found near available structure in both tidal waters and ponds/reservoirs while waters remain cool and summer grass beds are absent. Sunken wood provides key early-season structure. Various lures will attract strikes, but anglers should consider replacing treble hooks or single inline hooks to minimize fish damage.

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

The Ocean City area is showing signs of life as water temperatures begin warming. Beach anglers await the first black drum arrivals while currently catching clearnose skates and spiny dogfish.

The season’s first flounder have been reported in Virginia back bay areas, suggesting Ocean City’s first flounder catches may occur this weekend. Some striped bass catch-and-release action is happening at the Route 90 Bridge, though fish aren’t meeting the 28-inch minimum size.

Offshore tautog fishing provides the main action, with charter boats finding productive fishing at wreck and reef sites. Anglers commonly catch their four-fish limit of hefty tautog per trip. Maryland’s tautog season continues through May 15, and fish will move into the Ocean City Inlet area as inshore waters warm.