Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report March 2025: Stripers, Perch, and Monster Catfish Await Anglers

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 17, 2025. Let me tell ya, spring is in the air and the fish are startin' to bite! First off, let's talk tides. We've got a high tide comin' in around 9:36 AM, peakin' at about 5.4 feet. Low tide's hittin' around 4:27 PM at 4.34 feet. Sunrise is at 7:13 AM and sunset's at 7:14 PM, so we've got plenty of daylight to work with. Weather-wise, it's lookin' pretty decent. We're expectin' partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50s. Winds are gonna be light and variable, which should make for some nice conditions out on the water. Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Striped bass are still catch-and-release only, but they're startin' to move into shallower waters. Anglers have been havin' some luck with 7-inch soft plastic jigs and shallow-runnin' crankbaits. Remember, you gotta use circle hooks if you're usin' natural bait. Yellow perch are still runnin' in some of the tributaries, but that action's startin' to slow down. White perch, on the other hand, are just gettin' fired up. Bloodworms and small minnows have been workin' well for them. Blue catfish are bitin' like crazy in the rivers. Cut bait like gizzard shad or bunker is your best bet for these big boys. I heard of a fella pullin' in a 50-pounder near the Potomac last week! For you lure enthusiasts out there, I've been havin' good luck with white bucktails tipped with a 4-inch Gulp! Swimming Mullet for stripers. For the perch, try small inline spinners or 2-inch curly tail grubs in chartreuse or white. As for hot spots, the Susquehanna Flats are producin' some nice catch-and-release action for stripers. If you're after catfish, try anchoring up near the mouth of the Patuxent River or the deep holes in the Potomac. Remember, folks, always check the latest regulations before you head out. Tight lines and good fishin'! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.