Spring Weather Brings Active Fishing Conditions Across Maryland Waters

Rising temperatures are encouraging anglers throughout Maryland as yellow perch begin their spawning runs and freshwater fish become more active. Trout stocking continues in open waters while warmer conditions improve fishing for striped bass, blue catfish, and other species across the Chesapeake Bay region.

Rising temperatures are drawing fishing enthusiasts to Maryland’s waterways as spring conditions take hold. Recent trout stockings are delivering excellent fishing opportunities in waters currently open to anglers, while yellow perch are starting their annual spawning migrations and numerous freshwater species are showing increased activity.

Weekly Outlook: March 11-17

Spring indicators are abundant throughout the region – spring peepers are calling, trees are beginning to bud, and crocuses are in bloom. With lengthening days and climbing temperatures, Chesapeake Bay waters continue their gradual warming trend, encouraging gamefish to move toward spawning areas. Monitoring buoy data shows main Bay surface temperatures remaining in the mid-40s, while river temperatures hold steady in the low 50s. Smaller waterways and downwind locations on sunny days will experience faster warming, often reaching temperatures closer to the 50s. These warmer, low-salinity areas will be prime locations for yellow perch as they migrate from their winter refuges in downstream river sections, preparing to spawn in Maryland waters over the coming weeks.

Most Maryland rivers and streams are expected to maintain average flow levels. Water clarity should remain typical for most Maryland sections of the Bay and tributary rivers. Above-average tidal current conditions are anticipated from Sunday through Tuesday due to the new moon arriving March 18.

Upper Chesapeake Bay

The lower Susquehanna River remains stained this week with water temperatures around 44 degrees. Anglers taking advantage of pleasant weather are targeting deeper river sections for yellow perch and blue catfish. Yellow perch fishing involves dropper rigs with small minnows and adequate weight to maintain bottom contact. The ice formation at the North East River entrance has disappeared, allowing anglers to fish shallower areas using lip-hooked minnows near the bottom. Working a lip-hooked minnow slowly across the bottom with appropriate split shot weight proves highly effective for yellow perch, while dropper rigs work best in deeper areas.

Anchoring over deeper holes in the lower Susquehanna provides excellent blue catfish opportunities. The Conowingo Dam pool also attracts blue catfish anglers using surf rods to cast baits into the pool. Effective rigs include sliding sinker setups with 8/0 circle hooks and fresh cut bait or scented attractants. Standard J-hooks with sinkers also produce results. While blue catfish inhabit every upper Bay tidal river, the lower Susquehanna and Chester rivers maintain the highest concentrations.

Yellow perch are now entering upper sections of multiple regional tidal rivers, including the North East, Bush, Sassafras, Chester, and Magothy. In shallow, confined waters, lip-hooked minnows, Beetle-spins, small jigs, and shad darts tipped with grass shrimp or minnow pieces work effectively when fished slowly near bottom. Deeper waters require bottom rigs baited with lip-hooked minnows or grass shrimp.

Middle Bay

Middle Bay anglers are concentrating on tidal rivers this week as yellow perch move into upper spawning areas. With water temperatures in the low 40s, spawning will commence when temperatures reach the upper 40s in spawning zones, likely occurring before the weekend due to warmer air. The Hillsboro section of the Tuckahoe and Greensboro area of the Choptank show excellent potential for yellow perch fishing.

Popular techniques include lip-hooked small minnows with light weights for bottom fishing. Prime locations from kayaks, canoes, or jon boats include deep areas near outside river bends, channels, and submerged treetops. Shore anglers can cast lip-hooked minnows with split shot positioned approximately one foot ahead. Additional effective methods include bottom rigs and Beetle-spin blade jigs or small jigs and shad darts enhanced with scented attractants. Anglers should consider releasing egg-bearing females to support future fishery health. Daily limits for yellow perch are five fish with a 9-inch minimum length requirement.

Warming temperatures will increase blue catfish activity in channel areas. While present in every middle Bay tidal river, the Choptank River system supports the largest population. Areas from the town of Choptank upstream past Denton offer prime blue catfish opportunities. Cut bait remains the top choice, though scented baits and chicken liver also produce results.

Large female striped bass are entering the Choptank River, but anglers must remember that the Choptank and several other Maryland tidal rivers are currently closed to all striped bass fishing, including catch-and-release.

Lower Bay

The lower Bay and main Potomac River offer some of the region’s best striped bass catch-and-release opportunities. Striped bass are traveling along steeper channel edges and moving up the Potomac. Heavy tackle jigging with large soft plastic jigs remains popular this week. The warm water discharge at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant continues attracting striped bass and anglers during March.

Yellow perch are advancing up the Patuxent River and should reach the Route 4 area by week’s end. Upper Mattawoman Creek sections are seeing yellow perch activity. On the Eastern Shore, the Nanticoke and Wicomico rivers feature strong yellow perch spawning runs. The western shore Wicomico, a Potomac tributary, has historically produced good spawning runs at “Alan’s Fresh,” though recent reports from this area are limited.

The tidal Potomac River contains abundant blue catfish populations that will become more active as waters warm. Channel areas provide the best targeting opportunities, with deep channels near Fort Washington noted for producing the largest specimens. The Nanticoke River near Sharptown and the Marshyhope offer excellent blue catfish fishing.

Freshwater Fishing

Closure 1 put-and-take trout waters are now closed until 6:30 a.m. on March 28, with stocking crews preparing all waters for opening day. Put-and-take trout anglers can fish Closure 0 waters, many recently stocked. Youth-only trout fishing day is scheduled for March 21 from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in all Closure 1 waters, with a two-trout limit for anglers under 16.

Delayed harvest trout waters remain open for catch-and-release fishing. All trout in delayed harvest areas must be released until June 1, after which five trout may be kept through September 30. From October 1 through May 31, all trout must be released.

The upper Potomac River maintains strong flows this week, though slightly decreased from previous levels. Properly equipped anglers are enjoying good walleye, smallmouth bass, and muskellunge fishing. Soft plastic jigs, tubes, and swimbaits prove effective for walleye and smallmouth bass. A 15-20-inch slot limit applies to walleye in the upper Potomac mainstream from approximately a half-mile above Chain Bridge to Cumberland spillway through April 15.

Warming temperatures are activating multiple fish species. Crappie are schooling near structure including sunken brush, fallen trees, and marina docks. Small minnows or marabou jigs under slip bobbers effectively target them. Chain pickerel remain active near submerged wood and similar structure. Largemouth bass are actively feeding to rebuild winter energy reserves, typically found in moderate-depth transition areas.

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Waters

Ocean City area waters remain cold with inshore temperatures barely reaching 40 degrees. Some anglers will cast bucktails and soft plastic jigs around the inlet for striped bass with likely success.

Primary fishing action focuses on tautog at offshore wreck and reef sites. Party boat catches are excellent with quality fish, some reaching double-digit weights. The daily limit through May 15 is four fish with a 16-inch minimum.