Sign up for FishTalk's weekly Fishing Reports are they'll be delivered via email every Friday by noon, just in time for your weekend fishing adventures. Meanwhile, here's our forecast for fishing in the upcoming month of March based on what we've seen on a month-by-month basis looking back at our eight years of weekly fishing reports, as well as the current conditions and weather patterns.
COASTAL FISHING FORECAST
This month may start off on the slow side with tautog likely the only option, but the list of opportunities expands fast during the month of March. A lot depends on the weather, of course, but at some point this month we’ll almost certainly hear about the first flounder of 2026 being caught in the coastal inlets and bays. Early forays to the beach should produce action while surf fishing for black drum, along with the prerequisite dogfish and skates. And anglers fishing the coastal bay tribs will get their shots at yellow perch, too.
FRESHWATER FISHING FORECAST
As the lakes and ponds warm up in the springtime sun just about every species on the menu will start snapping. Freshwater fish hit pre-spawn mode in March, which means they’ll be putting on the feed bag to regain some energy after a long winter and prior to expending all that energy on reproduction. Expect the month to begin with fish like bass and crappie remaining fairly deep, especially in large bodies of water like reservoirs, but as water temps climb they’ll transition shallower. The smaller the water body, the faster the transition will likely be.
WAY NORTH FISHING FORECAST
As the month begins perch will be pushing upriver on their spawning runs, and by the time it ends the first of the shad will hopefully show up. Throughout that time (barring any unexpected regulatory changes) the Flats will be open for catch and release and the fishing can be excellent. Bass fishing can be a highlight in these same waters this month, and a blast of warm weather can trigger excellent action on the Flats and in the rivers for this species, too.
UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING FORECAST
At this time of year those big blue catfish often spread throughout the Upper Bay, and last March, Tolchester to the Sassafras was a hot zone with plenty of 10- to 20-pounders around and some larger fish caught as well. Up inside the tribs, meanwhile, the perch runs should be picking up steam and the pickerel should be chomping with vigor.
MIDDLE BAY FORECAST
Now’s the time to hit the tribs for the yellow perch run, armed with minnow and grass shrimp fished on darts and bottom rigs. We’ve also had some catch and release action on rockfish, some trophy sized, during March the past few years. There are well-defined areas you can and can’t target them, as well as some gear restrictions, so be sure to check the DNR striped bass regulations and maps before hitting the water.
LOWER BAY FORECAST
At some point this month, usually a week or two ahead of the northern tribs, shad will start running up the rivers. Catfish fishing should be excellent in those same rivers this month, and we note that last year when the shad began running in the Lower Bay tribs the blue catfish went on feeding frenzies in the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac.
TANGIER, POCOMOKE, AND LOWER SHORE FORECAST
March is an excellent month to check out the Eastern Shore tributaries as the perch runs heat up, bass go on the attack, and crappie action improves as well. Don’t overlook the millponds, either, because drifting minnow under bobbers (look for the remnant weedbeds) can produce epic catches of crappie after we have a few days of warm weather.
WAY SOUTH AND VA FORECAST
As winter gives way to spring catching specks and reds in the Way South zone will go from possible to probable with the inlets providing the destinations. Meanwhile, tautog action should heat up around the CBBT and surrounding structure. Watch for that 50-degree mark, people, watch for it. Before the month is out hopefully we’ll also see the first of the black drum and bull reds show up on the shoals, so break out the gear and hit the bait shop.
Sign up for the FishTalk Fishing Reports and by noon on Friday you'll get the angling intel you're looking for.