LEXINGTON PARK, Md. –– Anglers in Southern Maryland are capitalizing on improved weather and abundant fish populations in local waters, according to a recent report from Ken Lamb of the St. Mary’s Tacklebox. Spot and bluefish remain the primary catches, with bluefish active in the ship’s channel from the Choptank River south to the Atlantic Ocean. Light tackle fishermen are finding success with cast lures amid breaking schools, while trollers using surgical eel lures and spoons are reporting heavy loads.
Spanish mackerel are interspersed with the bluefish, adding variety to the catches. Bull redfish, which became skittish following last week’s storms, have reappeared as weather stabilized. Cobia sightings are limited but could increase suddenly. In the Patuxent River, spot are plentiful and large from St. Leonard’s Creek south to Cedar Point, with vast numbers of 3-inch to 4-inch croaker in the northern sections. The Potomac River offers spot at Cobb Island and Ragged Point.
Striped bass seasons are open in both the Potomac River and Maryland waters. Lure casters in shallow areas are landing them consistently now that super high tides from a distant Atlantic hurricane have normalized. Trollers are locating striped bass along 20-foot to 30-foot edges in the rivers, where small tandem and umbrella rigs prove effective. White perch are holding in deeper water due to stained shallows from high tides, though this may shift quickly as conditions improve.
The forecast for the next 10 days includes temperatures in the 70s and light breezes, providing ideal opportunities for fishing outings.
Ken Lamb, owner of the St. Mary’s Tacklebox in Lexington Park, has provided weekly fishing updates for decades, drawing on his experience to guide local anglers. His shop, established in 1978, serves as a hub for bait, tackle and advice in St. Mary’s County, where fishing supports both recreation and the economy. Lamb’s reports often align with broader trends observed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Recent Maryland DNR reports confirm active shallow water fisheries for striped bass, slot-size red drum, speckled trout and bluefish across the Chesapeake Bay. Slightly cooler water temperatures are enhancing success rates. In the lower Bay, anglers are jigging soft plastics or casting topwater lures at dawn for striped bass in grassy shallows, with red drum and speckled trout also responding well to similar tactics. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are hitting metal spoons trolled at higher speeds near channel edges.
In the Patuxent River, white perch fishing involves bottom rigs baited with bloodworms or peeler crab in 15-foot to 25-foot depths, particularly around oyster bars. Spot, a popular live bait for larger species, are caught using fish finder rigs with small hooks in areas like the river’s mouth. Croaker, though small in the northern Patuxent, indicate healthy juvenile populations that could bolster future stocks.
The Potomac River’s striped bass fishery reopened August 21 after a summer closure to protect spawning stocks, with a daily limit of one fish between 19 inches and 24 inches. Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks when fishing with live bait to reduce mortality. Bluefish in the lower Potomac are averaging 1 pound to 3 pounds, often schooling near structure like wrecks or drop-offs.
Bull red drum, also known as channel bass, migrate through the region in late summer, favoring cut bait or live mullet in deeper channels. Their sensitivity to storms highlights how weather influences behavior, as heavy rains can alter salinity and visibility. Cobia, a seasonal visitor, are targeted with bucktail jigs tipped with eel near buoys or grass beds, though catches remain sporadic this year.
Striped bass regulations in Maryland waters require careful measurement, with the slot limit designed to sustain populations amid environmental pressures like warming waters. Tandem rigs consist of two lures on droppers, while umbrella rigs mimic bait schools to attract feeding fish. Anglers should check tidal charts, as outgoing tides often concentrate fish in river edges.
White perch, a year-round resident, provide reliable action for families, with deeper holes offering refuge during turbid conditions. As clarity improves, they may return to creeks, accessible from public piers in places like Solomons or Leonardtown.
Southern Maryland’s fishing heritage dates to colonial times, with the Patuxent and Potomac rivers supporting commercial and recreational harvests. The region’s 1,000 miles of shoreline include public access points managed by the DNR, such as Point Lookout State Park for shore-based angling. Local tournaments, like those for striped bass, foster community engagement and promote conservation.
Weather plays a pivotal role, with the current mild forecast contrasting recent storms. Long-range outlooks suggest scattered thunderstorms possible, but overall conditions favor outings. Boaters should monitor marine forecasts for wind shifts.
Fishing licenses are required for those 16 and older, available online through the DNR, with proceeds funding habitat restoration. Invasive species like blue catfish pose challenges, but efforts to control them include targeted removals.
As summer wanes, these conditions offer a window for memorable trips, whether pursuing trophy redfish or stocking up on spot for bait.
