Stripers Are Back! Chesapeake Fishing Report for May 16, 2025

Artificial Lure's Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
May 16, 2025

Good morning anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fresh-off-the-water report for today, May 16th. Big news folks - striped bass season officially opens TODAY in certain areas of the Chesapeake! Make sure you check the Maryland DNR regulations map before heading out since not all areas are open for targeting these beauties.

Up north in the Susquehanna, catfish are absolutely on fire! Anglers are reporting catches of 45+ fish per trip, with blues up to 40 pounds being pulled near Port Deposit and Havre De Grace. Those cats are eagerly taking bottom rigs baited with worms and following schools of perch. If you're near Conowingo Dam, throw a line for some smallmouth bass and walleye that have been active there.

Down in the middle Bay, white perch fishing is improving as they move toward summer spots. Look for them around oyster bottom and artificial reef sites. Small spinners, jigs, minnows, and grass shrimp are all working well. Catfish action has been spotty in the main stem but more reliable in the tidal rivers - especially the upper Patuxent and Choptank. Fresh cut gizzard shad has been the ticket there.

The lower Bay is heating up with multiple species. Local netters report spot and small croaker appearing in pound nets, which is great news for live-lining. Grab some Fishbites (cheaper than bloodworms right now) on bottom rigs or Chesapeake sabiki rigs to catch your live bait.

For you Eastern Shore fans, the Sounds are coming alive with everything from specks to reds. Last season saw 50-pound-plus red and black drum hitting drifted peeler crab in the open Sounds and around grass edges on high tides.

Ocean City is reporting that migratory stripers are on fire moving up the coast. The flounder bite has been "lights out" with best action coming from anglers jigging with Gulp. Shad are running thick in coastal bays, and quality stripers are being caught from beaches, bridges and piers after dark.

Hot spots today: Hit the Potomac River for striped bass (19-24 inch slot, one fish limit); check out emerging grass beds in Western Shore tribs for puppy drum and speckled trout; and don't sleep on the flounder action in Ocean City.

For those looking to head offshore, the Morning Star out of West Ocean City is running sea bass trips with a 15 fish daily limit (13-inch minimum).

Remember folks, the cownose rays will start swarming our waters before month's end, so enjoy the clean water while it lasts! Tight lines until next time - this is Artificial Lure signing off!