Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, October 25, 2019 Update:
As we move into the end of October, the Conowingo Dam Pool remains a steadfast hotspot for anglers catching the sunrise bite. Clyde’s Sport Shop let us know that near the generation Unit and far into the dam are still holding the best bite for anglers fishing topwater. Anglers casting soft plastics are doing well too, but the best bite has been with plugs on the surface. Although action in the Conowingo Dam has been steady, a high amount of undersized fish is prompting anglers to fish clam snouts, chicken breast, and cut menhaden on the bottom around the dam. This tactic has been awesome for landing large catfish, which are constantly hungry and not so choosy about where they bite. Switching to going after the catfish is also allowing anglers to get up after the sun has risen and head out right after a long day of work for a relaxing afternoon. Catfish have been a convenient catch for anglers all across the northern Chesapeake, as well, they’re scattered everywhere, from the dam to the Flats and tributaries. Speaking of the Flats, Herb’s reported that the schoolie bite in the Flats has slowed down a bit.
White perch continue to head into deeper water as the weather cools down, but still are being caught from shorelines and local piers. Bloodworms on a bottom rig remain a good bait. Like the catfish, if you want a solid bet for a fresh fish dinner perch fishing gives you a very good chance of success.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, October 18, 2019 Update:
While crazy high tides and relentless wind were the staples of the past week, they sure didn’t turn off the fishing in the northern reaches of the Bay. The Conowingo Dam Pool remains a steadfast hotspot for anglers willing to get up as the sun rises. The early morning topwater bite is still happening and producing plenty of schoolie stripers for anglers fishing near the generation unit. Casting soft plastics into the dam pool remains a great tactic as well, but if you’re going to go for it make sure to lob your lures far into the pool before retrieving. Anglers unsatisfied with the schoolies have been switching to fishing clam snouts, chicken breast, and cut menhaden on the bottom around the Dam, which is producing some seriously large catfish. Switching to targeting them has the added benefit of being able to wake up later in the day, as the catfish aren’t so picky about when they’re biting. Where hasn’t mattered as much, either – the cats can be found scattered throughout the tribs and northern Chesapeake, and are easily accessible from shore and by boat. Anglers who aren’t focused on the Dam have been heading to the Susquehanna Flats and running down to the Key Bridge, where schoolies are holding tight. Morning time on the Flats has been great for topwater anglers and jigging the eastern side channel edges and around the Key Bridge has been a great option later in the day and at sunset.
White perch are moving away from the shoreline as the water cools down, and headed to deeper water. Luckily, it’s still relatively easy to entice them fishing off of your local dock or pier, and we’re in the sweet spot where fishing hours aren’t limited to sunrise and sunset due to oppressive heat during the day.
Boating Alert: The super-high tides last week dislodged a lot of flotsam from the shorelines, including large logs and limbs. Cruise with care, and keep a sharp eye out.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, October 10, 2019 Update:
The fishery in the northernmost waters of the Chesapeake has stayed fairly consistent recently and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Clyde’s reported that the bite has been especially strong in the early morning, although the late afternoon is providing action as well. Keeping with recent trend, the move at the Conowingo Dam has been to toss topwater lures or soft plastics as far into the Dam pool as possible before reeling them in. Throwing a rig near the generation unit remains a great option as well, and mornings have provided some wonderful action in the area. On the Flats, the channel edges have been producing for anglers opting to jig or cast soft plastics and swim shads. There's been a lot of cloudy overcast weather lately, so when the light is low remember that diverging from the chartreuse and white most anglers have been using and trying out some darker colored lures should be a productive choice.
Some anglers have been turning to target blue and channel catfish in the Susquehanna, and flatheads up near the dam. They’ve been absolutely huge, and aren’t difficult to find. Herb’s reported that chicken breast, cut menhaden, and clam snout have been great baits. Drifting baits along the bottom has been common, especially on channel edges and in the mouths of the rivers.
White perch have been active in the tribs as well, and can easily be located near shore around structure. Cooler weather should begin to drive white perch into deeper water, so grab some bloodworms and hit the docks while you still can. Might want to toss a minnow out there, too, because readers continue to report snakehead action from the Gunpowder and Back rivers, and truth be told, they're just about everywhere at this point.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, October 4, 2019 Update:
While the incoming weather changes are probably going to shake things up in the next few days, prior to its arrival fishing in the northern regions of the Chesapeake remained status quo. The dam pool, lower Susquehanna, and the Flats all are holding good numbers of stripers and although most are sub-legal, there are keepers among them. Topwater remains effective at daybreak and sunset, with jigs and/or live-lining small white perch the best bet at other times of the day.
The perch bite is still strong in the lower river as well as in many of the creeks and tribs, plus the C & D Canal, with bloodworms on bottom rigs providing the steadiest action. Casting Beetle Spins and Perch Pounders is a good move when fishing rip-rap and piers along the shoreline. Anglers looking for a sure bet are casting raw chicken breast or cut bunker to catch both channel and blue catfish, plus flatheads up at the dam pool, but they’re spread throughout the entire area.
Snakehead alert: we received reader reports from the Bush and the Gunpowder of snakes going into fall feeding mode. Big bull minnow are the best bet.