Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 2022

Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 25 Update:

Warming waters have brought some changes to the Upper Bay, and this week we heard from shoreline anglers casting from the beach at Sandy Point who caught a mix of (school sized) rockfish and some very nice catfish. Both species were taking cut bait and bloodworms fished on bottom. One reader also reported taking his boat for a shakedown cruise and putting tandems (no boards) back to see if a big rockfish would provide some excitement, but no rod tips ever went down. Alltackle reported that some boats have been heading to the bridge to try around the pilings in a variety of ways. Right now the pickings are slim, but just getting out on the water is irresistible with how beautiful the Bay is as spring begins. Generally, the fish have been holding in deeper water and close to the bottom.

blue catfish in the upper chesapeake
Junior got in on some sweet catfish action casting from shore in the Upper Bay this week.

Up in the rivers we heard from one reader who caught a few white perch at Beechwood, and another who caught a mix of post-spawn yellows, white perch, and catfish in the upper Chester while fishing minnow and grass shrimp on bottom rigs. White perch are around and biting in several of the rivers, favoring shad darts tipped with minnows or grass shrimp. Tochterman’s also reported a chunky cat this week, measuring up at 36-inches.


Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 18 Update:

Cold, windy, or rainy weather shut down fishing for the weekend and most of the week, but during times when it was possible to sneak out onto the water many boats chose to target perch and pickerel up the tribs. The Magothy and Severn were common destinations on the Western Shore, but both proved to have faltering bites this week. Most anglers who reported catching indicated that the bite was pretty slow. Red Bridges was a hot spot on the Eastern shore, with Anglers Sport Center reporting catches of yellow perch there. Fishing with minnows and shad darts was preferred. We also had one reader report of success with a limit of yellows on the Tuckahoe just below Hillsboro, and it was noted that several large fish had very empty bellies and when cleaned were confirmed post-spawn.

upper chesapeake yellow perch
The weather didn't make it easy this week, but there are a few perch to be found milling around. Photo courtesy of Vadim Lubarsky.

Again, however, reports from this location were mixed, possibly due to a combo of the weather and the unusual season we’re experiencing this year. The Maryland DNR commented on it this week, stating that their yellow perch experts “believe the fish may have spawned below their traditional spawning areas due to cold water surges.” They additionally commented upon the poor water conditions in the Tuckahoe and Choptank, suggesting that the “lack of visibility may have a lot to do with the generally poor perch fishing lately.” With the weather fouling up the water and impacting temps, we’re hoping things even out with warmer, more stable weather as spring officially kicks off this Sunday!


Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 11 Update:

With weather swinging back and forth between spring-like and chilly over the past week, those harbingers of spring, perch, have been the main target of many anglers throughout the region. Reports from virtually all locations have been swinging as wildly as the temperatures, with banner catches reported one day and a slump in the action the next. We receiver photo-documented reports ranging from catches of up to 50 yellow perch (on a mix of grass shrimp and minnow fished on shad darts bounced along bottom) to total skunks. As a general rule of thumb, the outgoing tide has been much better than high or incoming tides. Interestingly, white perch are already present in some locations as well even as yellow perch appear absent. We had one (unconfirmed) report of visually spotting yellows actually spawning up the Magothy this week. We also had a reader check in after launching at Beechwood and fishing minnow on darts, catching a couple of nice pickerel alongside a half-dozen perch.

magothy pickerel
Don't be surprised if an "other" puts a big bend in your rod, while you're out perch hunting.

On the Eastern Shore this week, Angler’s reported that the Nanticoke and upper reaches of the tribs were producing a catch dominated by smaller male fish. The bite is undeniably hot and cold, with strikeouts and so-so days reported from Greensboro, Hillsboro, Red Bridges, and Martinak. (Note: parts of Martinak, including the boat ramp and pavilion, are closed due to construction right now). As we see another week of slightly warmer weather, the fish should continue pushing up the tribs.


Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 4 Update:

Readers who hit the Magothy and the creeks in the Baltimore area had good success on pickerel this past week, with spinners reported by one as triggering the bites. One angler on the shoreline at Beechwood reports catching a handful of yellow perch on minnow suspended under a bobber, but had to “put some time in” to make it happen.

upper chesapeake bay pickerel
Tim caught this exceptionally FAT 25-incher fishing one of the creeks in the Baltimore area.

We didn’t have any direct intel from C & R anglers hitting the bridge this week, but that should remain a good option for those who want to feel a tug bigger than perch or pickerel can provide, before the opportunity ends at the end of next month. Up to now, bombing jigs or jigging spoons into the 40- to 50-foot range has been the trick.