St. Mary’s County fishing enthusiasts are navigating seasonal closures for striped bass, also known as rockfish, while enjoying robust opportunities for spot, croaker, bluefish, and other species. According to Ken Lamb of The Tackle Box in Lexington Park, striped bass fishing is temporarily closed in key areas, with specific regulations and reopening dates affecting the Potomac River and Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Meanwhile, other species are thriving, offering anglers diverse prospects in St. Mary’s County waters.
St. Mary’s County fishing in the Potomac River is closed for striped bass until Aug. 20, 2025, prohibiting direct targeting. The season reopens Aug. 21 and continues through Dec. 31, with a slot limit of 19 to 24 inches. In the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, rockfish fishing is closed from July 16 to July 31, reopening Aug. 1 through Dec. 10, maintaining the same 19- to 24-inch slot limit. These closures, enforced by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, aim to protect striped bass populations during critical periods.
St. Mary’s County fishing is thriving for spot, particularly in the Patuxent River, where eating-size spot are abundant during moving tides. Anglers are also catching croaker and white perch mixed in with spot. In Breton Bay along the Potomac, keeper-sized croaker (minimum 9 inches) are prevalent, extending up to the Leonardtown shoreline alongside spot and perch, providing ample opportunities for shore-based anglers.
Bluefish are a highlight of St. Mary’s County fishing, with significant concentrations near the Target Ship. An experienced captain reported unprecedented numbers of bluefish this season. Snapper blues, measuring 6 to 8 inches, are aggressive in shallow waters, biting plastics used by lure casters. Their razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws require caution. Trollers are finding success with surgical hose eels and small to medium spoons, using planers or inline trolling sinkers. Sight casters are employing Gotcha lures, jigs, and spoons to target these fish.
Cobia fishing in St. Mary’s County yields mixed results, with anglers using live eels, cut bait, and chum lines. Sight casters are opting for large jigs designed for cobia, which are more plentiful farther south but expected to move into local waters soon. Bull redfish are currently elusive, with sporadic encounters of large schools but no consistent patterns this season. Meanwhile, kayakers at Point Lookout in Cornfield Harbor report strong catches of speckled trout and rockfish. Slot redfish are absent locally but have been spotted in the Rappahannock River to the south.
St. Mary’s County fishing remains dynamic despite striped bass closures. The diversity of species, from spot and croaker to bluefish and speckled trout, ensures anglers have plenty to pursue. Updates on regulations and fishing conditions can be found through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. As the season progresses, St. Mary’s County fishing is poised for continued action, with hopes for increased cobia and redfish activity.
