LEONARDTOWN, Md. –– Anglers in Southern Maryland are experiencing a productive season with a variety of species available in local waters, according to the latest Southern Maryland fishing report from Ken Lamb of the St. Mary’s Tacklebox. The mix includes spot, croaker, speckled trout, stripers, cobia, mackerel, bluefish, flounder, lizard fish, white perch, whiting and undersized weakfish. Lamb noted the absence of tarpon or snook reports but added that even toadfish have been caught.
“We have the perfect mix of weather and fish,” Lamb said. “We have spot, croaker, speckled trout, stripers, cobia, mackerel, bluefish, flounder, lizard fish, white perch, and even some whiting, and undersized weakfish (gray trout). No reports of tarpon or snook, but even that would not surprise me; did I mention toadfish?”
Spot are prevalent in the Patuxent River at depths of 15 to 20 feet, extending to Wayson’s Corner, with larger ones near the river mouth. Croaker up to 14 inches appear in the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, though most remain smaller and continue to grow. Cobia have arrived in lower bay areas like the middle grounds and the Target ship, where chumming, chunking and using live eels or cut bait prove effective. Miss Susie Charters reported success with cobia on a recent trip.
Spanish mackerel mix with bluefish for trollers employing surgical eels and spoons, using planers or in-line sinkers at high speeds in the shipping channel. Casting lures into breaking fish offers an alternative approach. Bull reds were not reported this week due to east winds limiting access to the main bay stem, but they are expected to return during quieter periods. Trolling big spoons or surgical eels can locate them when sight casting is not possible.
Flounder, including keepers and undersized ones, are found at multiple sites, with larger specimens likely at the drop-off near buoy 76, Cedar Point Rip, Cove Point and Point Lookout Bar. Lizard fish often signal flounder presence below when they strike bait. White perch respond to cooler tides and lower water temperatures, measured at 78.8 degrees in the bay mouth per seatemperature.org data, marking the lowest for this date in a decade. Breton Bay stands out for white perch, accepting baits like bloodworms, shrimp, squid, razor clams, clam snouts or night crawlers. Catches improved in creeks this week, with rockfish and perch active under the Pearson Creek bridge on the Naval Air Station.
“This is a glowing report, but I never embellish, I just report what I hear and have the pictures to prove,” Lamb said.
The Southern Maryland fishing report aligns with broader Chesapeake Bay trends, where striped bass season reopened August 1, 2025, in Maryland waters. Anglers must adhere to regulations, including a 19- to 24-inch slot limit for striped bass and one fish per person daily in the bay until December 10, 2025. Invasive species like Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) provide additional opportunities in tidal rivers, with no creel or size limits to encourage removal.
In the middle bay, perch fishing targets docks and rip-rap shorelines with grass shrimp or minnows, while speckled trout appear in grass beds. Cooler weather has boosted activity in St. Mary’s waters, with spot and croaker surges noted in recent updates. The Potomac River closure for striped bass targeting ends August 20, 2025, but incidental catches occur while pursuing other species.
Southern Maryland’s location along the Patuxent and Potomac offers access to these fisheries, with public ramps and charters facilitating outings. The St. Mary’s Tacklebox in Lexington Park supplies gear and bait, supporting local anglers. Water conditions remain stable with low thunderstorm risks, aiding consistent fishing.
This Southern Maryland fishing report reflects peak conditions, with diverse species drawing anglers to rivers and the bay. Lamb’s updates, based on angler submissions, guide efforts in areas like the lower Potomac and Patuxent mouth.
