Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 25 Update:
Tough weekend weather locked out anglers due to skim ice in some area tribs and creeks, but by early in the week the waters were all back open. We had one reader report of a couple of pickerel and perch in the Magothy. This incoming warm weather should get the perch moving big-time, though, and we expect the best days at Beechwood and farther up the river will be in the near future.
Anglers who were able to get out after the ice broke reported regular pickerel catches to Anglers and Alltackle. As usual this season, most guys reported using minnows or three- to four-inch paddle tails. Slow trolling also remains a good option, although winds made it difficult several days this week. The millpond pickerel brigade was out in force too, with FishTalk team-members Zach Ditmars and Eric Packard plus friends on the prowl on the Eastern Shore. The bite was a slow one and consisted mostly of pickerel; Ditmars was swinging the high hook with seven fish up to 24.75 inches to his credit, but most of the crew only had one or two. Minnow were the best offering and a few bass and crappie showed up in the catch as well. David Rudow reporter a single pickerel and a crappie on minnow at the southern millponds.
The reports we heard from perch anglers hitting the traditional spring run hotspots this week were primarily “meh.” No one seemed to have any exceptional days but if you’re ready to break the cabin fever this weekend, the Tuckahoe and upper Choptank (Hillsboro, Greensboro, Red Bridges, etc) should be kicking it off any day now, so don’t miss your chance.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 19 Update:
Thanks to the awesome weather this week with low winds, sunny skies, and temperatures in the mid-80s, hordes of anglers headed out onto the water and sent us fantastic reports of the action. Not.
We’re guessing the combo of frigid weather and rain has kept most anglers off the water… and we don’t blame 'em! Cold weather and high winds have shut down the majority of fisheries across the Bay, even the emerging ones we’re expecting to see. Despite a couple days that weren’t freezing during the past week, the yellow perch bite hasn’t really taken off. The pickerel bite has remained somewhat steady in the Magothy and Severn, and although we heard fewer reports this week, at least a few kayak anglers putting in at Beechwood had moderate success. Truth be told, freshwater is about the best bet right now; check out the Freshwater Reports, to learn more.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 12 Update:
We received the first reports from readers probing the Eastern Shore yellow perch spawning run areas like Hillsboro and Greensboro this week. The bite was on the thin side and some had empty stringers on an incoming tide, but those who fished on the outgoing did have a couple-few fish to take home plus some throwbacks. Once we get through the current cold snap, the first time we get some warm, sunny days, this action will likely light up in short order. Angler’s and Alltackle in Annapolis were able to confirm this, noting that the bite has been rather slow thus far. They also mentioned that most of the fishing happening in the area right now is concentrated on pickerel in the Severn and Magothy. Severn River angler Eddie Weber checked in to report that bite has slowed down a bit. Weber hit the Severn multiple times this week, and reports that Saturday resulted in one 20.25” on a white paddle tail all the way up by Indian Landing Marina. Later in the week, he encountered thin ice in his normal spots and had a strikeout morning around Smith Marina and Valentine Creek. However, he managed to get into them at a spot in the main river, and landed five within 30 minutes! All were in six to eight feet of water, with the largest 20.75 inches, and the others a solid 20.
The Eastern Shore millponds are still showing promise for anglers in the CCA Maryland Pickerel Championship. Angler-in-Chief Lenny Rudow, FishTalk kayak sharpie Zach Ditmars, and Contributor Eric Packard all tried the millponds this past week, with pickerel offering up fair to good action and quite a few bass hitting as well. Slow-trolling four-inch paddle tails and drifting minnow under bobbers both proved effective. Rudow noted that for whatever reason, the crappie weren’t cooperative and reports that a couple of anglers he spoke with who were fishing specifically for them went home disappointed.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, February 5 Update:
Usually there’s no place we’d rather be than the water, but much of this week was an exception. While Team FishTalk did head out to Deep Creek to try some ice fishing last weekend, we found ourselves wishing we’d stayed indoors like most sensible people — a skunk chased us home after just one day of nine to 18 degree weather, 37 holes drilled, and one missed strike. Some nearby anglers did better, catching a handful of perch, a walleye or two, and some bass. Across the rest of the area, the frigid temps skim-iced many waters and dissuaded anglers from being out. Still, FishTalk contributor Eric Packard hit the mill ponds yesterday and found that the fish were biting. Packard caught eight pickerel up to 23.5 on four-inch paddle tails. Other than that, we didn’t hear anything this week.
