Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report 1/25/18 Update:
We love living on the Chesapeake Bay, and one thing we're thankful for is the ability to go fishing year-round. Although none of our sources had any particularly uplifting or positive news in the fishing department, there are a few ways to bend a rod and break your cabin fever. Reader Kevin Thomas checked in and let us know that he ran his boat for a while since he doesn't winterize - a good move since the best way to winterize an outboard boat is to use it, as we mentioned in 10 Winterizing Disasters. While out on the Severn he spotted a couple schools of fish, dropped down a Z-Man Smokey Shad, and caught a 25-incher.
Still, Anglers and Alltackle in Annapolis both suggested that if you want to find fish for the cooler a trip to head out to the lakes is in order. Freshwater fishing has been pretty productive for some brave enough to venture out in the wind and cold. Wye Mills has produced reports of crappie and yellow perch, caught on little jigs and minnow, and ice anglers have been doing well. Check out the Freshwater reports, for more details.
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report 1/19/18 Update:
Much of the Middle Bay had begun to thaw this week and most of the frozen tidal rivers are open again, however very few good fishing opportunities have presented themselves. Island Tackle Outfitters and Angler's in Annapolis both report that it's been nearly impossible to get out on the water the past few weeks, and the few reports that they have had have been from anglers braving the cold and ice fishing either up into southern PA or out in western MD. Angler's did have one report of a successful day of fishing at Wye Mills, where yellow perch were caught. We also heard from a reader who broke a bit of ice near the shoreline to get to open water on the South River, where minnow fished on tube jigs produced one (suspected) pickerel which bit through the line. Darn. Meanwhile, those area anglers who have a level of fishing flexibility that most of us can only envy have headed south for a different kind of bite...
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report 1/12/18 Update:
The folks at Island Tackle Outfitters noted that much of the Chesapeake region has been frozen up for a whole week and there has been zero excitement in the Middle Bay because of it. With temperature rising hopefully we’ll see some opportunity to fish. On the other hand, ice-fishers have made the best out of the worst and have begun catching walleye, yellow perch, and pike through the ice. Check out the Freshwater report, for more info on the ice bite.
Bay Country noted that with the crabs all hibernating in the mud and deeper waters, crabbers have moved to oystering by this time of the year. Remember that recreational oyster tonging is legal, a lot of fun, and scraping up your one legal bushel of oysters usually just takes a couple of hours. Bay Country does have tongs for sale, if you want to give it a shot.
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report 1/5/18 Update:
Anglers and Alltackle reported that cold weather and wind have kept anglers off the water. Neither store had any reports of fish being caught this week, however they did say that heading to freshwater is a good option. Visit the Freshwater Reports, to learn more. Middle Bay tributaries, meanwhile, have been drained by the recent storm. As this report was printed most had iced up to one degree or another, but abnormally low tides mean that regardless of conditions the water levels throw a monkey-wrench into any fishing plans you may have. Even hitting the power plants will be problematic in the immediate future, as ramps are thoroughly iced and have exceedingly low water.
On the Eastern Shore, earlier this week a few high-current areas still had fishable waters, but we’re not able to say if they’ve frozen hard in the past day or two (which seems quite likely). If they have, remember that the tidal creeks with strong current can not be ice-fished as the ice’s strength is incredibly unreliable. There are a few spots you can chop holes from solid land (such as Martinak, on Watts Creek, from the pavilion built out over fairly deep water). You’ll have a fair shot at yellow perch and possible some catfish (try bull minnow fished on bottom) but do NOT try walking out on this ice.