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Fishing Reports
Weekly fishing reports for the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic and surrounding region. If you would like to be notified via e-mail when our weekly fishing reports are updated, click here to sign up.
FishTalk fishing reports are presented by Anchor Boats, Brown Dog Marine, CCA MD, Riverside Marine, Suzuki Marine, and Tri-State-Marine
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
After a brutally cold stretch of winter weather, it seems that we are finally breaking out of the arctic pattern. Boats departing from Virginia ports are doing well on sea bass as they enjoy the February season. One reader checked in after taking a trip on the Fish Bound, and around 50 miles from the inlet they had a solid bite on a wreck. What’s even better, however, is that they landed the first flounder we’ve heard of in 2026—and then… Read more from Coastal...
Freshwater Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
Ice was still thick enough for ice fishing in some areas last week, problematic in some others, and almost gone in southern areas of FishTalk’s coverage. We heard from one reader who chipped ice at Lake Marburg in southern PA before the rain moved through, and the bite was slow but a bass and two perch rewarded his efforts by hitting shiners on a small crappie jig. (Note that ice may be iffy after the warmup and caution should be taken before… Read more from Freshwater...
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
The Way North region is finally opening up from the ice that covered the water for several weeks. Anglers have been quick to get back out on the water in search of yellow perch. The bite was good this week as we heard several reports of successful trips from the mouth of the Susquehanna River near Havre De Grace. The fish are schooling in the deep holes at the mouth of the river in depths of 40’ to 60’. Having a good fish finder with… Read more from Way North...
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
Spring is on the horizon, and it can’t get here fast enough. After a brutal winter, I think we are all ready for warmer temperatures and more time out on the water. The first bite we can look forward to is yellow perch. Fishbones Bait and Tackle reported that the ice is thawing out of the Upper Bay tributaries, and they are having some reports of yellow perch roll in from anglers. While the ice is thinning, there are still some smaller… Read more from Upper Bay...
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
The Angler in Chief reports that, as of last weekend, ice was still an issue at the boat ramps in some areas, and in order to launch the boat at Hillsboro they had to shove it across 15’ or 20’ of hard water. Unfortunately, all the hard work did not pay off, and despite fishing multiple spots on the Tuckahoe, their minnow and shad darts went untouched. Ice floes moving through were a constant problem and at several pinch-points in the… Read more from Middle Bay...
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
The elephant in the room is the Potomac River witnessed one of the worst sewage spills in the country’s history at the end of January due to a rupture of the Potomac Interceptor that originated near lock 10 on the upper Potomac. Since then, there have been a few overflow events that have caused more untreated wastewater to be released into the river. The spill has now been contained and there is not an active flow of raw sewage into the… Read more from Lower Bay...
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
The lower Eastern Shore mill ponds are thawing out after a long stretch of ice cover. This will open opportunities for pickerel fishing through late winter and spring. Now is a great time to target these fish, especially when we see warming trends as they get very active this time of year searching for prey. Live minnows work great, but they are usually willing to hit artificial lures such as jerkbaits, spinners, and… Read more from Tangier and Lower Shore...
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 20 Update:
Schools of puppy drum are starting to move onto the shallow mud flats during warm days to take advantage of the sun and slightly warmer water temperatures. They are also feeding on baitfish, which makes for a good opportunity to fish for them in the tributaries right now. The water temperatures are still very cold, so these fish are not always active. When we get days in the 50s or 60s, that’s when the bite can really turn on,… Read more from Way South...