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Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Guide
Maryland
The middle Chesapeake Bay begins at the Bay Bridge and takes in Eastern Bay, the Choptank and Taylors Island; Maryland DNR's weekly reports follow striped bass, white perch and bluefish here.
Part of Chesapeake Bay.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Middle Chesapeake Bay for striped bass, redfish, speckled trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and white perch. In November, striped bass is prime, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start.
There are 8 shops within 25 miles (1 fly, 7 bait and tackle); the closest is Tyler's Tackle Shop & Crab House in Chesapeake Beach, about 10 mi away. Also nearby: Delaware Bay, about 72 mi away.
Season at a Glance
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Striped Bass
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Bluefish
Spanish Mackerel
White Perch
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower State Pattern No Agency Season Found Closed by Regulation
Agency: Maryland DNR: Striped Bass; Bluefish; White PerchState Pattern: NOAA Fisheries (Redfish, Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel), not confirmed for this water
Season Rules & Licenses
- Middle Bay: the Choptank is a spawning river, closed to striped bass fishing Mar. 1 to May 31, 2026. Maryland DNR 2026
- Striped bass: catch-and-release only Jan. 1 to Apr. 30 (spawning rivers and the Upper Bay spawning area off limits from Mar. 1); one fish 19 to 24 inches a day on the main Bay May 1 to 15, in more areas May 16 to 31, and everywhere June 1 to July 31 and Sept. 1 to Dec. 5; no striped bass fishing in August; catch-and-release only Dec. 6 to 31, 2026. Maryland DNR 2026
- Red drum: 18 to 26 inch slot, 3 a day, open all year. Maryland DNR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Maryland fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Salt Water: Separate Non-Tidal/Freshwater and Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing licenses; free Saltwater Angler Registration for some tidal anglers.
License Sellers Nearby
Tyler's Tackle Shop Crab House, Inc
P O Box 434, Chesapeake BeachWal-Mart Store #1716
150 Solomons Island Road, Prince FrederickWal-Mart Store #5345
10600 Towne Center Blvd, DunkirkSource: Maryland DNR's license agent list, Oct 2026. Call ahead.
Parts of Chesapeake Bay
- Main PageChesapeake BayStriped bass from the bridges to the flats, plus speckled trout and red drum to the south.
- Saltwater & Coast · MarylandSusquehanna FlatsGrass flats at the head of the Chesapeake with striped bass and largemouth. Check current Maryland spawning-season closures.
- Saltwater & Coast · MarylandUpper Chesapeake BayThe upper Chesapeake Bay runs from the lower Susquehanna River south to the Bay Bridge; Maryland DNR's weekly reports follow striped bass, white perch and blue catfish here, in the open Bay and its tidal rivers.
- Saltwater & Coast · MarylandSwan PointAn upper Chesapeake Bay point near Rock Hall that the state names as a place to live-line spot for striped bass along the channel edges.
- Saltwater & Coast · Maryland · You're HereMiddle Chesapeake BayThe middle Chesapeake Bay begins at the Bay Bridge and takes in Eastern Bay, the Choptank and Taylors Island; Maryland DNR's weekly reports follow striped bass, white perch and bluefish here.
- Saltwater & Coast · MarylandLower Chesapeake BayThe lower Chesapeake Bay runs from the mouth of the Potomac to Tangier and Pocomoke sounds; Maryland DNR's weekly reports follow striped bass, bluefish, red drum, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel and cobia here.
- Saltwater & Coast · MarylandPoint LookoutA peninsula where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, with a 710-foot state park fishing pier open mid-April to mid-December and lower Bay striped bass, red drum, speckled trout, and bluefish.
Middle Chesapeake Bay Species
Striped Bass
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Prime: May to Jun, Sep to Nov
View Species
Redfish
State pattern per NOAA Fisheries (most caught in Maryland, 2023 to 2025): Jul to Aug. Not yet confirmed here.
View Species
Speckled Trout
State pattern per NOAA Fisheries (most caught in Maryland, 2023 to 2025): Sep to Oct. Not yet confirmed here.
View Species
Bluefish
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Prime: Jul to Aug
View Species
Spanish Mackerel
State pattern per NOAA Fisheries (most caught in Maryland, 2023 to 2025): Jul to Aug. Not yet confirmed here.
View Species
White Perch
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Prime: May to Sep
View SpeciesSpecies per Maryland DNR: Striped Bass; Redfish and White Perch; Speckled Trout; Bluefish; Spanish Mackerel.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory, NOAA. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Striped Bass
Prime Now · May to Jun, Sep to Nov
Fly
9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 9 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 9 and 10 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Premier Coastal Quickshooter XP Fly Line · WF9I, intermediateCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
- Fly for November · #4/0-2Lefty's DeceiverSee Options
Spin / Cast
7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodPenn Battalion III Inshore Spinning RodCheck Price
- ReelPenn Battle IV Spinning Reel · 4000 or 5000Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 30 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 3.5 to 4.5 inWalking Topwater · Heddon Zara Spook✓ Named by Maryland DNRSurface blitzes.Check Price
- Lure for November · 2.5 inTopwater Popper✓ Named by Maryland DNRSee Options
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait✓ Named by Maryland DNRSee Options
- Lure for November · 4 to 7 inPaddle-Tail Swimbait · Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ✓ Named by Maryland DNRCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 2 ozBucktail Jig · Spro Bucktail Jigs✓ Named by Maryland DNRCheck Price
- Bait for November · Whole, liveLive EelsBait Shops
- Bait for November · Whole, liveLive Menhaden (Bunker)Bait Shops
Named by Maryland DNR: the Maryland Department of Natural Resources names this kind of fly, lure or bait for this fish here; tap the name for its page. It names the type, not the product we link, and does not endorse this site.
Other Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Middle Chesapeake Bay:
- Tyler's Tackle Shop & Crab House, Chesapeake BeachWebsite
- Orvis Chesapeake Bay Fly-Fishing School, Chesapeake BeachWebsite
- Tri State Marine, DealeWebsite
Map of Middle Chesapeake Bay
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Videos
How-To
How to Fish for Striped Bass at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
How-To
Live Lining For ROCKFISH and BLUEFISH On The CHESAPEAKE BAY! The REEF Saved The Day!
Picked by Gear & Tackle: for what they show about Middle Chesapeake Bay. We don't make these videos, and none is a review of a product we link.
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Striped Bass
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
58°F high, 41°F low
About 3.4 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 14 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Flies
Saltwater Baitfish Fly Assortment
Clousers and Deceivers in sizes for stripers, snook, and reds.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Mar, Oct
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Middle Chesapeake Bay
Within 25 mi
Guides and Charters Near Middle Chesapeake Bay
Within 25 mi
Charter
Reel Time Charter Fishing
Edgewater, Maryland· 6 mi
1107 Turkey Point Rd 301-758-3475
Per their website: Striped Bass, Half-Day Trips
Charter
Class Act Charter Fishing
Tilghman, Maryland· 9 mi
6176 Tilghman Island Rd 410-924-4201
Per their website: Striped Bass, Redfish, Flounder, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Hot Lick
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland· 10 mi
Per their website: Flounder, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel
Charter
Never e-nuff charters
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland· 10 mi
Per their website: Striped Bass, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Katherine Charter Fishing
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland· 10 mi
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
