ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — Anglers in Southern Maryland report strong catches of rockfish and white perch as calm weather windows allow access to key spots in the Potomac River, Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, according to Ken Lamb of The Tackle Box in Lexington Park. Rockfish, also known as striped bass, appear in schools across multiple areas, with activity marked by feeding seagulls and electronics showing baitfish concentrations. White perch school in deep sections of the Patuxent, yielding large numbers on bottom rigs.
Lamb noted the Potomac and Patuxent hold abundant rockfish eager to strike for trollers, jiggers and lure casters. In the bay, breaking schools gather at Point No Point, Cedar Point Hollow, off the old hotel site and in the Triangle area. Fishermen target consistent stripers at the power plant bubble using heavy jigs bounced on the bottom. Winds and gales limit outings, but calm days produce excellent results.
For white perch, the Patuxent from Point Patience to the Three Legged Marker offers prime fishing in depths of 30 to 90 feet. Catches occur from party boats, kayaks and various vessels. Sabiki rigs, double hook bottom rigs and custom setups work well, with hooks close to the bottom and tiny bloodworm pieces as preferred bait. Fish average 10 inches and bite readily when located.
The Maryland rockfish season in Chesapeake Bay waters runs through December 10, 2025, with a daily limit of one fish between 19 and 24 inches. In the Potomac, managed by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, the season extends to December 31, 2025, with one fish per day at a minimum of 19 inches. White perch fishing remains open year-round in Maryland with no daily limit or minimum size when caught by hook and line.
Lamb advised selecting calm days for trips, emphasizing current conditions as optimal. The Tackle Box, a family-owned store since 1960, provides gear and local insights for anglers. Recent reports align with this, showing good striped bass action in the lower Potomac and Patuxent through jigging and trolling, alongside white perch in creeks.
Point No Point, a man-made reef from five barges sunk in 1986, sits at coordinates 38 06.85 N, 076 17.85 W, offering structure that attracts striped bass. Cedar Point Hollow features wrecks and obstructions along the Chesapeake Ranch Estates shoreline, providing habitat for rockfish. The old hotel site likely refers to areas near historic waterfront properties, such as remnants around Solomons, where currents concentrate bait. The Triangle describes the zone bounded by Point Lookout in Maryland, Smith Point in Virginia and the target ships, a broad area for trolling.
The power plant bubble points to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant warm water discharge, which creates a torrent into the bay, drawing striped bass year-round but especially in cooler months. This site, operational since 1975, pumps bay water for cooling, releasing it warmer and attracting fish. Anglers jig here, as Lamb described, with success on heavy setups.
In the Patuxent, Point Patience marks a southern complex with a marina and pier, ideal for accessing deeper waters. The Three Legged Marker serves as a navigation point upriver, where depths support perch schools. These spots allow diverse access, from shore to boat.
Striped bass management stems from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission plan, with Maryland adhering to Amendment 7 for sustainable stocks. A 1980s moratorium addressed overfishing; current rules protect spawning periods, closing targeting from April 1 to May 15 and July 16 to 31. Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks with natural bait to reduce mortality.
White perch, native to the bay, provide forage for larger species and support recreational fishing without restrictions on hook-and-line harvest. Bloodworms, as Lamb recommended, mimic natural prey in deep schools.
Southern Maryland’s economy ties to fishing, with charters and tackle shops like The Tackle Box serving the community near Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Lamb, involved since the store’s founding by his parents Howard and Lena, recently transitioned ownership but remains active.
Conservation efforts include artificial reefs like Point No Point to enhance habitat. Anglers need a Maryland Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License, available online or at shops. Weather monitoring via National Weather Service aids safe trips, given wind impacts.
This period offers peak opportunities before seasons close, with baitfish movements driving action. Similar patterns appeared in mid-November reports, confirming widespread activity.
