LEONARDTOWN, Md. — As spring unfolds across St. Mary’s County, local anglers are adapting to cooler-than-usual water temperatures and shifting fishing prospects, according to Ken Lamb of St. Mary’s Tacklebox. On March 25, 2025, Lamb reported that the water temperature at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay stands at 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly above the seasonal average of 45.5 degrees. A cold winter and sluggish spring have delayed river and creek fishing, with optimal conditions—daytime highs near 70 degrees and nights above 55 degrees—not expected until the weekend.
Despite the slow start, catfishing is thriving in the northern reaches of the Patuxent and Potomac rivers. Lamb noted that one-to-three-pound catfish, ideal for eating, are plentiful in these areas. Larger catches, ranging from three to ten pounds, are being pulled from the Patuxent near Benedict Bridge and the Potomac at Bushwood Wharf, with some “monster-sized” specimens in the mix. In the stretch from the Route 301 bridge to Washington, D.C., catfish weighing 20 to 40 pounds are common, and some tip the scales at 60 to 80 pounds.
Spawning white perch have appeared in rivers and creeks, but Lamb said the water remains too cold for consistent action. Meanwhile, big striped bass—35 to 50 pounds—are gathering in spawning zones along the rivers. Skilled anglers casting lures under pier and shoreline lights at night have reeled in good numbers, though all striper fishing in Maryland waters is catch-and-release until March 31. From April 1 to May 15, targeting stripers in Maryland is prohibited, though the Potomac River allows catch-and-release year-round.
Shad fishing is picking up in the upper Potomac, where anglers casting shad darts and tiny spoons are finding success. Freshwater fishing is also gaining momentum, with bass and crappie biting on spinner baits and small jigs as warmer weather approaches.
Lamb’s observations align with broader trends tracked by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which monitors fish populations and seasonal shifts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The agency notes that water temperature plays a critical role in fish behavior, often delaying spawning runs in cooler years. The Potomac River, a key fishery in the region, supports diverse species like catfish and shad, bolstered by its tidal and freshwater zones, per the Chesapeake Bay Program.
For now, anglers are making the most of catfish hotspots and early freshwater bites while awaiting warmer days. Lamb, quoting poet Percy Bysshe Shelley—“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”—expressed optimism that rising temperatures forecast for the weekend will kickstart the season in earnest. Until then, the region’s rivers and creeks remain a mixed bag, rewarding patient fishermen with hefty catches amid lingering chill.
