Upper Bay Fishing Reports
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
Striped bass season is underway in portions of the Upper Bay, with slot fish showing around classic structure like the Bay Bridge, lighthouses, and channel edges, and even the chance of a lingering trophy still in the mix for a short window. Meanwhile, blue catfish continue to provide steady action—especially farther north in the Bay and tidal rivers—while white perch are transitioning out of their spawning runs and beginning to stage in deeper water, setting up a reliable late-spring bite around river mouths and nearby structure as they prepare to move shallow again.
Striped bass season is now open in some Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The slot is 19 to 24 inches, and anglers can keep one fish per person per day. There are still certain tributaries that are closed to targeting striped bass, so make sure to take a look at the striped bass regulation maps to when and where areas open for striped bass fishing. A reader reported that rockfish were at the Bay Bridge along relatively shallow pilings in 10’ to 15’. Casting chartreuse seven-inch Bust ‘Ems with half-ounce heads on Alltackle “Tom Weaver Special” rigs did the trick. Upper Bay hotspots for striped bass fishing include the Bay Bridge, lighthouses, Love Point, Patapsco River shipping docks, and lumps around Pooles Island. One young reader was fishing off his pier on the Magothy after dark when he tied into a B-I-G surprise catch, a trophy striper that hadn’t yet left town. Any remaining trophy fish will soon make their way south out of the Bay, but there is a chance to run into a big fish through at least the first half of May.
Another reader, fishing from his pier in Norman Creek (off Back River), mentioned there were some very large blue cats prowling around, and he reeled up a nice on fishing from his pier. The blue catfish fishing has been much better farther north in the Upper Bay compared to areas around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Areas around the Bush and Gunpowder River have been productive, and the upper Chester River holds a very dense population of blue catfish. These fish are prowling ledges and shallow flats looking to feed, so any form of cut bait will give you a good chance to catch them right now. Gizzard shad, menhaden, eel, and chicken are all great options for tidal blue catfishing.
White perch spawning runs are pretty much wrapped up, so they will be moving out of the tidal rivers and hanging out in deeper waters before moving into the shallows later this month. Bottom fishing around the mouths of the Upper Bay tidal rivers will be a good bet for catching perch right now. Grass shrimp and bloodworms, or bloodworm-flavored Fishbites are two of the best baits to use while bottom fishing. The Bay Bridge and the shoals just north of the bridge are good locations to find white perch in late spring and early summer. It may be a bit early to catch perch there now, but they should be showing up soon if not already.
