Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Spring Action on Catfish, Perch, and Pickerel

Good morning anglers, it’s April 13, 2025, and we’ve got a great day of fishing lined up around the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Let’s dive into the conditions and the bites you can expect today. The sun rose at 6:32 AM and will set at 7:37 PM, giving us plenty of time to hit the water. The tides today show low water at 6:05 AM and 6:00 PM, with high tides at 11:09 AM and 11:22 PM. These tidal swings, coupled with a high tidal coefficient nearing 79 by evening, mean we’re looking at strong water movement, which is excellent for fishing. The current weather is brisk from lingering cool conditions, with Chesapeake Bay water temperatures sitting just above 50°F. This cooler water is slowing the warming process, but fish activity hasn’t waned. Targeting shallower, sunlit areas in the tributaries might yield better results today as they warm up faster. With striped bass season closed until May 16 in these parts, the focus is on other thriving species. Blue catfish are the stars of the show right now. These invasive giants are biting aggressively, with catches exceeding 30 pounds reported consistently. Anglers are having exceptional success between Hart Miller Island and Sandy Point, with Tolchester and the Magothy River mouth noted as hotspots. Fresh cut gizzard shad or chunks of eel on fish finder rigs are proving most effective. Don't forget, removing invasive blue catfish from the waters is both encouraged and delicious! White perch are moving back to their summer habitats, and catches are strong in the lower tidal rivers. Dropping bloodworms or grass shrimp on bottom rigs works perfectly for these panfish. Hickory shad are also running in numbers in the Susquehanna and Deer Creek areas, taking brightly colored shad darts, gold spoons, and small flies. For the lure enthusiasts, pickerel action in the Bay’s tributaries is hot. Focus on creeks like Back Creek, Bodkin Creek, and the upper Magothy River, casting jerkbaits, chatterbaits, or inline spinners near fallen trees and docks. The pickerel are post-spawn and aggressive right now. For bait recommendations, fresh or live options are plentiful. Bloodworms and grass shrimp are best for white perch, while blue catfish prefer cut bait like bunker or eel. If you're fishing for pickerel, paddle tails and soft plastics will do the trick. If you’re looking for some top fishing spots today, head to the Upper Bay near Sandy Point State Park or the Tolchester area for catfish. For perch and pickerel, try the Magothy River or creeks off the Patapsco. Shad anglers should gear up for a productive day at Deer Creek. Good luck out there, and tight lines to all!