MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
FISHERIES SERVICE

CURRENT CHESAPEAKE BAY & TRIBUTARIES FISHING REPORTS

LAST UPDATED APRIL 3, 2002 NEXT SCHEDULED UPDATE APRIL 17, 2002

Upper Chesapeake Bay map. Click for a larger view.UPPER BAY - FROM THE BAY BRIDGES NORTH, INCLUDING THE SUSQUEHANNA FLATS AND RIVER

UPPER BAY MAP
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Anglers are catching some hickory shad at Deer Creek. Deer Creek is low and water temperature is in the 50's (degrees Fahrenheit). Lure options include shad darts, small spoons, or grubs. Another place to catch shad is Fisherman's Park at Conowingo Dam, which reopened on April 1, 2002. To read the full press release click here. The catwalk and Shure's Landing boat launch remain closed. Warm weather should trigger the run to improve in strength. For many anglers, shad and herring are often difficult to distinguish. DNR Biologist, Jim Thompson - Ryan Anderson with a striped bass.Fish Passage, has created an Chris Gosnell with a striped bass.identification sheet to help anglers with this task. Above Conowingo Dam anglers have been reeling in smallmouth bass and walleye using extra large shiners. No word on crappies in that area yet. White perch fishing may have peaked at Millington over the weekend. Catches are slightly less this week compared to the weekend. Shad darts, grass shrimp, and bloodworms will catch white perch. Bluegills and crappies have been caught in Millington along with the white perch. Many of the popular fishing locations for the anadromous fish runs are at or near the tidal/nontidal dividing lines. This information is published in the 2002 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide on pages 42 to 47 and online. Fishing on the Susquehanna Flats is generally good when the water is clear. Last Friday the floodgates were opened at Conowingo making it tough to catch (and release) stripers. They are currently closed and the water is gradually clearing up. One of the most popular baits for catching stripers on the Flats is the 5 inch or 7 inch Bass Assassin in chartreuse, opening night, and pink diamond. Spoons and Rattle Traps also have their share of success. Fly fishermen have been throwing groceries - large chartreuse/white half and half's and blue/pink deceivers on a sinking line. Pictured on the left is 13 year old Ryan Anderson with a striped bass he caught and released on the Flats while fishing with dad. On the right is Chris Gosnell of Millersville, MD with his catch (released after photo).

Click for real time water flows on Deer Creek and at Conowingo Dam.

 

Mid Chesapeake Bay Map. Click for a larger view.MIDDLE BAY - FROM THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGES TO DRUM POINT

MID BAY MAP
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On the Eastern Shore, white perch have been caught using bloodworms and grass shrimp at Tuckahoe, Red Bridges, and the Marshy Hope downstream from Federalsburg, Harrison Ferry Road, and Brookview Road. Boaters are catching white perch in the Choptank River in 10 to 12 feet of water. Action has been fair to good at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant for catch and release striped bass fishing with Bass Assassins.

 


Click for a larger view. LOWER BAY - FROM DRUM POINT SOUTH TO THE VIRGINIA LINE

LOWER BAY MAP
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Anglers are catching white perch at Fletcher's Boat House south to Point Lookout. The mouth of St. Jerome's Creek, Smith Creek, Point Lookout, and the St. Mary's River are a few places to catch white perch with beetle spins, small spoons, bloodworms, or minnows. Fishing at depths of 5 to 6 feet in the Wicomico River (Western Shore) and St. Clements Bay has also been productive for white perch. In the Patuxent River, white perch have been caught at the Thomas Johnson Bridge in deep water. Shallow is the key when fishing upriver, in places such as Jug Bay and Wayson's Corner. The Nanticoke near Sharptown and the Little Blackwater River are also producing catches of white perch. Nicholas Bounds caught a 12.5 inch white perch on the Nanticoke at Roaring Point Click for a larger view.using bloodworm. Croakers have been biting when the water is clear on the Nanticoke at Roaring Point using bloodworms and squid. Buoy #8 in the Wicomico (Eastern Shore) is another option. The first recreationally caught croakers were landed at Chaptico Wharf and Bushwood on Sunday. An occasional puppy black drum has been caught from shore at Deal Island. On the western shore anglers have been catching and releasing puppy drum off the Point Lookout Pier and shoreline. Bloodworms and squid will catch them. Catch and release striped bass fishing has been productive in many places in the Potomac River. At the Point Lookout Pier anglers are using Skitter Pop's and Bass Assassins. Hickory shad are in the Potomac River. One good place to catch them is at Fletcher's Boat House. Lure options include shad darts, small spoons, or grubs. Tidal bass action has been good in the Potomac around structure and drop-offs using plastic tubes and crankbaits.

TANGIER SOUND MAP
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This Page Created and Maintained for the Fisheries Service by
Angel L. Bolinger

For Further Information, Contact
pgenovese@dnr.state.md.us

Fax: 410-260-8279 / Voice: 800-688-FINS / Direct: 410-260-8294