Way North Fishing Reports

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 2 Update:

The weather has warmed up and conditions have been great to get out and do some fishing. The hickory shad run is still going strong on the lower Susquehanna River with anglers catching fish at the Conowingo Dam, Deer Creek, and Octoraro Creek. Tandem-rigged shad darts and metal spoons are the most reliable lures to throw for shad. Their color preference can change from day to day, so it is a good idea to have several different colored shad darts along with gold and silver spoons to try different presentations until you find what they like. The shad run will likely be coming to an end soon as water temperatures have already reached the mid 60’s in this region, so get out for this fun fishery now if you haven’t already. Anglers in these areas are also reporting that gizzard shad are all over the place and can be seen running along shorelines. They are less likely to hit lures but can be caught and are excellent bait for catfish. The lower Susquehanna has also seen the arrival of white perch and fishing has been good at the mouth of the river. Anglers are catching them using bottom rigs tipped with grass shrimp and bloodworms.

A reader checked in after fishing on the Susquehanna at the beginning of the week and reported catching 45 fish with catfish eagerly willing to bite bottom rigs baited with worms. Big blue catfish have also been following the schools of perch on the river and there have been several big fish up to 40 pounds caught in the vicinity of Port Deposit and Havre De Grace. Striped bass are still off limits as the closure is still in effect for all Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The striped bass season will open on May 16th in certain areas, but not all areas will be open to targeting. Anglers can view the Maryland DNR striped bass regulations map to see when and where you can fish for striped bass. Although stripers are off limits, there have been some smallmouth bass and walleye being caught just below the Conowingo Dam at Conowingo Fisherman’s Park.