LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Anglers in St. Mary’s County are reeling in abundant catches as spot, croaker, and catfish thrive in the Patuxent, Potomac, and St. Mary’s rivers, according to Ken Lamb of St. Mary’s Tacklebox. The fishing season, boosted by recent rain and favorable tides, is off to a strong start in May 2025, with white perch, redfish, and stripers also making appearances ahead of the summer striped bass season opening on May 16.
Spot, a mainstay for bottom fishermen, have arrived in the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, with small but plentiful fish dominating catches. In the Patuxent, anglers report pulling in two spot at a time using bloodworm bits, often mixed with hardhead croaker. On Saturday night, night fishermen at St. Mary’s City off the Potomac landed about 20 croaker, including two keepers over nine inches, and only two spot. The first spot of the year were caught last weekend in the St. Mary’s River at Church Point, where college students fishing at night hooked about six using bloodworm bits. Pound netters also reported spot mixed with alewife this past week.
Croaker are equally abundant, mingling with spot in both the Patuxent and Potomac. Their presence has been consistent, with bloodworms proving effective as bait. Meanwhile, catfish remain a reliable catch, particularly in the upper regions of the Potomac and Patuxent. A large blue catfish was caught in a pound net at Cornfield Harbor late last week, with anglers finding success using bloody baits like mud shad and alewife. However, catfish at Bushwood Wharf were elusive last Saturday due to choppy, muddy water, though conditions have since improved.
White perch, fresh off their spawning run, are now scattered in creeks and rivers, including St. Jerome’s Creek, ready for lure casters and bottom fishermen. Recent gale winds and high-pressure fronts temporarily turned fishing spots into mud flats, but Sunday’s rain and steady tide flow have restored favorable conditions. A puppy drum, approximately 16 inches, was caught at St. Mary’s City College alongside a small rockfish and white perch, signaling diverse catches.
Redfish, though less common, are appearing in the St. Mary’s River, with a handful caught by live liners at night using small live spot as bait. Stripers, protected until the Maryland summer season opens on May 16, are jumping on baits and lures aimed at other species. The season, limited to Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay waters, imposes a 19- to 24-inch slot limit, with the Patuxent above Point Patience closed until June 1. Trollers can expect success with smaller bucktails, tandem and umbrella rigs, and Captain John’s Spoonbrella lures.
In freshwater, bass and crappie fishing is thriving. The cold spring has favored crappie, with males lingering in brush piles near shore and larger females positioned in five to ten feet of water. “More seasonable temperatures, some rain, and gentle breezes will improve the fishing,” Lamb noted, emphasizing the impact of recent weather shifts.
Norfolk spot typically migrate into the Chesapeake Bay in early May, peaking around July 4. With improved conditions mid-week, anglers are poised for a robust season across St. Mary’s waterways.
