ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md., May 28, 2025 — Cold temperatures and strong winds are creating challenging conditions for fishermen in St. Mary’s County, with average highs expected to be 10 degrees below normal and lows 6 degrees below average for the next few days. According to Ken Lamb of St. Mary’s Tackle Box, the breezy weather is making fishing difficult, though some anglers are still reporting success in select areas.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, hardy fishermen have landed encouraging catches of striped bass, known locally as stripers, and speckled trout. At the mouth of the Potomac River, trollers north of Ragged Point have reported notable hauls. Kayakers casting plastics on jig heads in Cornfield Harbor have also done well, catching rockfish and occasional speckled trout. Good catches have been reported in Smith Creek and the St. Mary’s River off the Potomac, with a strong running tide being critical for bites.
The Potomac River, particularly on the Virginia side from Colonial Beach to the 301 bridge, is proving productive for trollers targeting schoolie striped bass. Other locations require more effort but are yielding results for persistent anglers. Catfish are present in the upper regions of both the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, offering additional opportunities for fishermen.
The Patuxent River is set to open for rockfish season on Sunday, June 1. Lamb expects the river to host ample stripers, with trollers and lure casters likely to find success in both shallow and deep waters. Meanwhile, a significant catch of about 30 spot, many of eating size, was reported Sunday evening off a pier on the St. Mary’s side of the Patuxent, just north of the Solomons Bridge. The mouth of the Patuxent, extending north to Cuckold Creek, is expected to have plenty of spot in the coming days.
A severe shortage of bait fish, including alewife, bunker, and menhaden, is complicating efforts for both fishermen and crabbers. Major bait dealers are struggling to source bait fish, grass shrimp, and minnows. Crabbers are adapting by using alternatives like mud shad and razor clams to bait their pots. “There is a severe shortage of bait fish (alewife, bunker, menhaden) that is affecting crabbers and fishermen,” Lamb said. “The big bait dealers say they are having trouble finding bait fish, grass shrimp and even minnows.”
The cold snap has delayed the onset of summer-like conditions, which Lamb notes will eventually bring complaints about heat. For now, anglers are contending with the wind and chill, relying on skill and persistence to make the most of the season. The upcoming rockfish season on the Patuxent offers hope for improved fishing opportunities, provided the weather cooperates.
Local waterways, including the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, remain vital to the region’s fishing community. The presence of stripers, spot, catfish, and speckled trout highlights the diversity of species available, even in challenging conditions. Fishermen are adapting to the bait shortage and weather constraints, with some finding success through targeted techniques like trolling and casting in high-tide areas.
As the region awaits warmer weather, the fishing community continues to navigate the challenges of an unseasonably cold spring. The opening of the Patuxent for rockfish season marks a key moment for local anglers, who are eager to capitalize on the river’s potential.
