Catfish Bonanza, Perch on the Rise, and Shad Wind Down - Chesapeake Bay Fishing Update

Fishing Report for Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore/Washington D.C. Area, Saturday, May 10, 2025

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing update for today. We’re settling into early May, and despite a recent cold snap slowing down some river species, the bite is picking up in other spots as water temps slowly rise.

Tide and Weather:
Expect a classic spring day on the Bay. The morning kicked off with sunrise at 5:53 am and sunset’s set for 8:07 pm. Light winds out of the northeast, temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, and partly cloudy skies should keep things comfortable. Tides today are moderate, with a high around midday and lower tides in the early morning and late afternoon, setting you up for prime action around the changes if you can get out between those times.

Fish Activity and Recent Catches:
The big story up and down the Bay right now is the surging blue catfish bite. Anglers in the upper Bay, especially near Hart Miller and Pooles Island, have been hauling impressive numbers of blue catfish, with some catches filling up coolers and even trash cans. Fish in the 10-20 pound range are common, and a few 40 pounders have been reported. Channel catfish are mixed in, especially in the tidal rivers, with the Patuxent and Choptank getting good results[4][5].

White perch are starting to move into their summer spots, but they’re not on fire just yet. Look for them in the shallows and around oysters and reefs, and expect numbers to increase as water warms further[5]. Spot and small croaker have just started to show up in commercial netters’ pound nets—a great sign for the coming weeks and prime bait for stripers when their season opens soon[5].

Striped bass remain off limits in Maryland’s main Bay waters until May 16th, so put the striper gear on hold unless you’re fishing in open areas or strictly catch and release. In the meantime, the shad run is winding down in the Potomac, but you can still find action with hickory and American shad, especially on darts and spoons in the upper stretches[3].

Best Lures and Bait:
For blue catfish, fresh cut bait—especially gizzard shad—gets the nod. Chicken livers, nightcrawlers, and chunks of menhaden or bunker also work well. White perch will take small spinners, jigs tipped with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces, and minnows. For those chasing shad, stick with bright shad darts and small spoons.

Local Hot Spots:
For quantity and size of blue catfish, head to the upper Bay around Hart Miller Island and Pooles Island, or try the upper stretches of the Patuxent and Choptank rivers. For white perch, poke around the creeks off the South River and the artificial reefs in the Middle Bay. If you’re after shad, the Potomac above D.C. remains your best bet[3][4][5].

That’s the word from the water this weekend. Good luck and tight lines out there!