Nick Long spent a quiet evening on the bay fishing with his dad and holds up a beautiful fall striped bass as the sun sets. Photo by Travis Long
Although the mornings can be a bit nippy, good fishing opportunities exist from the mountains of western Maryland to the waters of the Atlantic. The Chesapeake Bay striped bass season has a little more than two weeks to go before it closes, and anglers are bundling up and enjoying the fun.
Forecast Summary: November 27 – December 3:
As the holiday weekend approaches, Bay temperatures continue to drop down to the upper 40s. This cooling will continue through the next week.
Warmest waters continue to be found in the bottom quarter of the water column. Anglers should focus on prime habitat areas for larger concentrations of baitfish and hungry gamefish as they migrate to their winter holding areas. As always, make sure to focus on moving water periods for best results.
Expect normal flows from most of Maryland’s rivers and streams until Sunday, when they will begin to rise as a result of the rains beginning this weekend. There will be above average tidal currents through next Tuesday as a result of the new moon Nov. 26. Bay surface salinities are largely back to normal conditions.
There will be reduced water clarity from the bottom of the Susquehanna Flats down to Tolchester as a result of the recent spill gates being opened at Conowingo Dam.
To see the latest water clarity conditions, check Eyes on the Bay Satellite Maps.
For the full weekly fishing conditions summary and more detailed and up-to-date fishing conditions in your area of the bay, be sure to check out Click Before You Cast. You can now get regular updates on Maryland’s waters and the creatures that call them home sent to your inbox with our new Eyes on the Bay newsletter. Sign up online.