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Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
By Keith Lockwood of The Maryland DNR
This information is provided as a public service of the
Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.state.md.us
May 7th, 2008
FROM THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE NORTH, INCLUDING THE SUSQUEHANNA FLATS AND RIVER
Catch and release fishermen at Deer Creek are reporting this week that the hickory shad run has tapered off but they are still catching them in the Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam. They are also catching a few American shad and walleyes in the process. So far the American shad run this season has been a bit disappointing in the Susquehanna; but the channel catfish and white perch fishing has been excellent in the river. Fishermen are still playing out the last few days of the striped bass catch and release season extension which ends midnight on Friday May 9th. Most fishermen have been casting topwater lures in the shallower waters for their fish. The size of the fish has been generally speaking dropping as the last spawning groups tend to be the younger first time spawners. There are still some whoppers out there and Herb Floyd holds up one for the camera before slipping it back into the water.
Fishermen continue to troll the edges of the shipping channel south of the Brewerton Channel for spring striped bass. Fish are being caught; one just has to stick with it. It has been best described as a pick by fishermen with the fish appearing to be spread out. The Dumping Ground above the Bay Bridge, the channel near the Bay Bridge itself and the sharp edge from Baltimore Light down to Sandy Point Light being a few of the more talked about locations. A number of the fish being caught in the upper bay region are coming from the 20’ to 35’ depth level on a variety of lures; such as umbrella rigs, spoons and swim shads. The swim shads have really been producing well over the last couple of years as their design continues to improve. Parachutes and bucktails dressed with sassy shads tend to be the most popular offerings with the darker colors such as purple getting more attention from fish and fishermen when trolling deeper.
Shoreline fishing with bait for large striped bass is still an option for fishermen from prominent points and fishing piers. Smaller striped bass are becoming more prevalent as they move into the region. White perch have descended to the lower regions of the tidal rivers and are starting to move out into the bay; channel catfish are also being caught in the very upper sections of the upper bay region
UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY MAP
CLICK MAP FOR A LARGER VIEW
Map courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.state.md.us
Other Maryland Fishing Reports
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