Maryland Fishing Reports

Water temperature is reading 53°F at NOAA buoy 44009 as of the morning of May 7, anchoring a solid early-May setup along the Chesapeake corridor. Smith's Bait Shop, reporting via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake, has striped bass above, below, and within the 28–31-inch slot at Collins Beach, Greens Beach, and Woodland Beach — most fish falling to bloodworms or cut bunker. Old Inlet Bait and Tackle (via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake) drew more than 200 anglers to their surf fishing tournament this week, logging impressive striped bass alongside a few tautog caught on sand fleas and green crab near the inlet. OTW Saltwater confirmed on May 5 that big stripers are running the beaches from Maryland north to Long Island, signaling the post-spawn push is underway in earnest. In the tidal creeks and spillways, white perch and catfish remain reliably available on bloodworms and minnows, per Smith's Bait Shop via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake. Summer flounder opened in federal waters late last week, though early results have been mixed.

2d ago

The Patapsco River is running at 66.6 cfs (USGS gauge 01589000) as of early May 7 — moderate spring flows that keep lower tidal reaches accessible from bank and boat. The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake reports Smith's Bait Shop is fielding catches of striped bass above, below, and within the 28-to-31-inch slot, with bloodworms and cut bunker the consistent baits. White perch are active in tidal creeks and spillways on bloodworms and small minnows, and catfish are holding in those same corridors. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms the post-spawn push is accelerating as large females begin vacating the Chesapeake system. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this report cycle; check conditions on arrival. Overall, early May looks like a solid multi-species window across the tidal Potomac and Patapsco — particularly for white perch, which are reliably biting.

2d ago