Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, June 23 Update:
Although striper action around the Conowingo Dam pool and across the Flats isn’t turning any heads, blue and flathead catfish are biting steady. These species are heavy throughout both areas and many anglers are reporting catching chunky cats. Generally, fishing for them with cut bait soaked on bottom works best. Menhaden, chicken liver, and clam snouts are reportedly working well. A few anglers who checked in with us from these areas after casting for stripers reported a big goose egg. Many anglers focused on the rockfish have been heading south a bit to the channel edges and areas from Still Pond to Pooles for striped bass; those location have been as hot as it gets for live-liners, with jiggers and trollers taking their share of fish as well (though these areas are also packed with boats).
Other anglers in this zone have shifted their focus to snakehead, which can be located in the weedy shallows of creeks and rivers. They’ll hold under vegetation and are feeding on topwater lures and inline spinners. We also have an exciting upcoming event in this region. June 25th the Snakehead Derby is ON at Gunpowder Falls State Park. Returning for the second year, this free event focused on slammin’ the snakish invasives will be held at Dundee State Park. The Derby will feature a fish filleting demonstration, fishing lessons, door prizes, and much more!
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, June 16 Update:
Striped bass catches were thin for anglers fishing the Bay’s northernmost reaches this week. Although guys we checked in with saw plenty of boats on the water, they reported that the stripers just didn’t wanna bite. A few were caught at and around the Conowingo Dam pool and lower Susquehanna Flats, however, blue and flathead catfish far outnumbered the bass. Unlike with the striped bass, anglers targeting these fish aren’t really dealing with strikeout days. Many catfish have been in the 12- to 16-inch range and fish north of the mid-20s aren’t uncommon. Letting cut baits like chicken liver, menhaden, and clam snout, is doing the trick both from shore and away from land. Fishing for catfish by kayak is especially exciting, but you’ve gotta be prepared — these guys can take you for a tow!
Aside from catfish and striped bass, there were also reports of some snakehead and bass at the Dam this week. Anglers fishing for snakehead found them casting topwater lures and crankbaits, and Herb’s Tackle Shop also reported a 10.8 and an 11.2-pound snakehead caught this week, as well as a hefty snakehead catch in the North East. A few carp also turned up on the Susquehanna Flats for anglers using corn. Bass are taking a variety of topwater and subsurface lures in shaded and weedy areas.
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, June 10 Update:
We still haven’t heard of a lot of action from the Flats nor dam pool, with some second-hand reports of success on fish in the low 20s but two readers reporting skunk trips and no photo-verified keeper rockfish from that far north sent in this week. Rockfish were hitting on the lumps north of Poole’s last week, however (as far north as we had solid reports for ‘em), with white perch chunks tempting the fish into biting on an incoming tide.
Catfish continue to provide a steady bend in the rod for those fishing cut bait on bottom in the river, especially within sight of the 95 bridge, and we also heard about success in the North East this week. Snakehead reports also continue to flow in from these waters, and the North East seems to be becoming (yet another) epicenter for hunting that species, as well.
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, June 3 Update:
Though the Flats opened up to rock on Wednesday we haven’t heard a lot of chatter from anglers enjoying success on them (and we did hear from one who said he had no luck chasing rock there this week). Rather, this week more readers reported a steady flow of catfish from this zone and snakehead catches. Our sources largely echoed reader reports this week, with Clyde’s and Herb’s mentioning that the stripers aren’t really around in big numbers and you have to run south for them, but there are other fish nearby. Herb’s mentioned that cat-fishing has been an especially popular pastime for anglers in this region. The bite is usually poppin’ and fish are chunky. We heard from a couple of anglers this week who were thrilled to score blue cats in the 35- to 38-inch range. Drifting cut alewife, menhaden, and clam snouts are all doing it for the catfish. Look for deep pockets and areas off cuts when hunting for them, both from shore and by water.
We also had some nice snakehead reports this week, including the pair of chunky Channa above. They’re biting a variety of topwater, paddle-tails, plastic frogs and other imitation lures, and minnow. Snakes can be located throughout the tidal zone in creeks and areas with shallow water and nice vegetation cover. Casting for them around points and bends with vegetation is a good way to get them on your line.
Clyde’s clued us in that the white perch bite is going well up north, with plenty in the creeks and tribs. While it hasn’t been the fishery that we’ve historically seen, numbers are far better now than in past weeks. Bottom rigs baited with blood worms, grass shrimp, or appropriately flavored FishBites are all working well.