Chesapeake Bay, United States

Maryland & Virginia · United States

Chesapeake Bay

Brackish

The largest estuary in the US is the nursery and migratory highway for East Coast striped bass. Trophy fish move through in spring, resident fish feed hard in fall, and a huge blue-catfish fishery runs all year.

Water
Brackish
Best time
Trophy stripers in spring, resident fish in fall; catfish year-round

Target species

  • Striped bass (rockfish)
  • Blue catfish
  • Cobia
  • Spanish mackerel

Recommended techniques

  • Trolling
  • Chumming
  • Light-tackle jigging

Best time of year: Trophy stripers in spring, resident fish in fall; catfish year-round