Spring Fishing Heats Up in Maryland Waters as Yellow Perch and Trout Season Arrives

Maryland anglers are celebrating the arrival of spring fishing season with yellow perch spawning runs underway and trout waters now open. The state has also jumped to second place nationally in a new ranking of America's best fishing destinations.

Spring has officially arrived for Maryland fishing enthusiasts, bringing two highly anticipated species into prime season: yellow perch in tidal waters and trout in freshwater locations. Current spawning migrations for yellow perch are active throughout the region, while trout management areas designated as closure 0 have opened for the season.

Young anglers under 16 will get their special opportunity this Saturday, March 21, when closure 1 trout management waters become available exclusively for youth fishing. The general trout season opener for all anglers is scheduled for March 28.

Maryland has received recognition as the nation’s second-best fishing destination according to FishingBooker’s latest annual ranking, climbing significantly from seventh place in 2025 and eleventh in 2024. The website cited consistent angler demand, exceptional access to bays, rivers, tidal systems, and Atlantic coastal waters, plus cost-effective fishing opportunities as key factors. According to their analysis, approximately one-fifth of Maryland consists of water, creating outstanding prospects for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.

The 2026 striped bass season schedule has been established for Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters, with complete details available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.

Weekly Outlook: March 18-24

Rising temperatures and longer daylight hours continue gradually warming Chesapeake Bay waters, encouraging gamefish to migrate toward spawning areas. Monitoring buoy data shows main Bay and river mouth surface temperatures remaining in the mid-40s, while smaller rivers and streams register around 50 degrees. Protected coves and downwind locations on sunny days will reach the mid-50s more quickly, creating ideal conditions for yellow perch as they move upstream from winter holding areas to prepare for spawning in Maryland waters over the coming weeks.

Maryland rivers and streams should experience typical flow levels this week. Water clarity throughout most Maryland sections of the Bay and rivers should remain normal. The March 18 new moon will generate stronger than average tidal currents throughout the week.

Upper Chesapeake Bay Region

Anglers fishing the lower Susquehanna River and surrounding Bay areas are encountering murky water conditions and significant floating debris from recent Conowingo Dam releases. While these releases have decreased, challenging conditions will persist temporarily. Yellow perch fishing opportunities are currently better in the North East, upper Bush, Sassafras, Chester, and Magothy rivers. Water temperatures reaching 50 degrees have triggered yellow perch movement toward spawning grounds, with white perch following closely behind.

Small minnows hooked through the lips remain the preferred yellow perch bait. Anglers can fish them near bottom using split shot in shallow areas or bottom rigs with adequate weight for deeper, stronger current locations. Small jigs and shad darts enhanced with scent or small minnows work effectively in spawning areas. Grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces provide the best white perch attractants.

Blue catfish activity improves daily as warming temperatures increase their feeding behavior. Channel catfish are also becoming active. Gizzard shad ranks as the top bait choice, though any cut fish or scented offerings will produce results. Blue catfish inhabit every tidal river in the upper bay plus open bay areas, with the Susquehanna mouth and Chester River middle section offering prime fishing locations.

Catch-and-release striped bass fishing continues in the Susquehanna Flats, lower Susquehanna River, and Northeast River until April 1, when these areas close through April 30. During the closure period, fishing is prohibited above the line connecting the Lapidum state boat ramp to Twin Rocks to Tomes Wharf in Port Deposit. Natural Resources Police actively monitor this boundary. The southern boundary extends from Turkey Point to Sandy Point.

Middle Bay Waters

Middle Bay anglers are concentrating on yellow perch and white perch spawning runs this week. Significant yellow perch spawning occurred last week in the Hillsboro section of the Tuckahoe and upper Choptank River near Greensboro, where water temperatures reached approximately 50 degrees. Choptank River anglers near Denton caught early white perch run fish, mostly smaller males, along with numerous 10-inch blue catfish. Shore anglers primarily used bloodworms, while boat and kayak fishermen preferred small jigs with added scent or lip-hooked minnows.

Increasing water temperatures are stimulating blue catfish activity throughout the Choptank River. The stretch from Dover Bridge to Denton provides excellent fishing opportunities, with fish typically holding in deeper channel sections. Sliding sinker rigs with non-offset circle hooks work best for blue catfish, with 8/0 circles being ideal sizes. Gizzard shad makes the premier bait when available, while cut white perch and menhaden also produce well. Chicken liver and scented chicken breast work effectively if kept securely on hooks.

Striped bass anglers can enjoy catch-and-release action in main bay waters this month. Proper fish handling requires minimal contact and preferably keeping fish in water. Planning before fishing helps protect these valuable breeding females. Have cameras ready, use rubber landing nets, support fish horizontally with rubber gloves, work quickly, and return fish immediately to water.

Lower Bay Areas

Lower bay anglers are finding yellow perch in spawning areas including Mattawoman Creek at Mason’s Branch, Wayson’s Corner on the Patuxent, and Marshyhope Creek off the Nanticoke River. Some locations have completed spawning, creating post-spawn yellow perch opportunities. Lip-hooked minnows remain popular, but small jigs and shad darts tipped with minnow pieces or fish attractant provide exciting ultralight tackle action.

White perch are entering these same areas and can be found in Eastern Shore’s Wicomico and Pocomoke rivers. Bottom rigs and small jig heads tipped with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces work excellently for white perch. Early run fish are typically smaller males, with larger females arriving soon.

Blue catfish fishing remains strong in tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers as warming temperatures end their winter inactivity. Fish are holding in channel areas.

Catch-and-release striped bass action features the largest fish along steep channel edges during their bay migration toward spawning rivers. Jigging and trolling are the most effective techniques. The main Potomac River allows catch-and-release fishing, but all other lower bay tidal rivers remain closed to striped bass targeting.

Freshwater Opportunities

Saturday, March 21 marks youth trout fishing day beginning at 6:30 a.m. in all closure 1 trout management waters for anglers under 16, with a two-fish limit. The traditional opening day for all trout waters occurs March 28, with closure 1 waters receiving fresh stockings for the event.

March provides excellent crappie fishing in both tidal and non-tidal waters statewide. Early spring crappie remain close to submerged structure including sunken brush, fallen trees, submerged wood, and marina docks. Small minnows under slip bobbers are most popular, though marabou jigs suspended under bobbers also work well.

Many crappie anglers employ “spider rigs” – multiple rod holder arrays allowing simultaneous fishing of numerous outfits while drifting near structure. This technique proves very effective in tidal waters. The tidal Potomac near Wilson Bridge, plus the Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke rivers offer excellent crappie fishing.

Grass beds in tidal and non-tidal waters are beginning to emerge, so chain pickerel still hold near sunken wood and advanced submerged vegetation. Largemouth bass activity is increasing as they patrol between shallow and deep waters searching for food.

Northern snakeheads are becoming more active, often found in shallow, sunny areas of tidal rivers during afternoon hours. Large minnows under bobbers work well during marginal water temperature periods.

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Waters

Ocean City waters remain near 40 degrees this week. Surf fishing produces mainly spiny dogfish and clearnose skates. Inside the inlet, some catch-and-release striped bass action occurs near the Route 90 Bridge, though most fish fall short of the 28-inch minimum length while providing entertainment.

Offshore wreck and reef sites offer excellent tautog fishing, with party boat anglers landing substantial fish, many reaching double-digit weights. The daily tautog limit remains four fish at 16-inch minimum length through May 15.