FISHING REPORT

Good day to fish

Fishing Report — May 3, 2026

Good day to fish at Indian River Inlet (tautog & stripers); decent but transitional at Rock Hall (slot stripers opening, full-moon tidal push). Watch for rain/NE wind moving in Monday.

Rock Hall, MD

Upper Chesapeake Bay

Transitional

WHAT'S BITING

Striped Bass — The big news: as of May 1, anglers in the Bay from the Brewerton Channel south may keep one striper per day in the 19–24" slot. Above the Brewerton Channel (whi

Largemouth Bass & Snakehead — Catch-and-release bass action at the Susquehanna Flats grass beds and nearby tidal rivers. Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) also active in the same zones.

Perch & Catfish — Background action in tidal creeks; typical for this time of year.

HOT BAITS & TECHNIQUES

Paddletails, soft plastic jerkbaits, gli…Trolling and jigging along the main chan…Full moon this past week (May 1) = above…

BEST SPOTS

Main shipping channel edges near Swan Po…Shallower Bay shore flats (casting to st…

Water temp

** ~60°F (main Bay surface and river mouths)

Today

** High 62°F, NW wind ~11 mph — fishable

Monday

Rain moves in, low ~59°F, NE winds 15 mph with gusts to…

REGULATIONS

• Chesapeake Bay slot: 1 fish/day, 19–24" (below Brewerton Channel only)

• Spawning tributaries (Chester, Choptank, Nanticoke, etc.) closed to striper targeting through May 31

• Trolling: 6 lines max, barbless hooks, no stinger hooks

Indian River Inlet, DE

Coastal Inlet

Firing

WHAT'S BITING

Tautog (Tog) — Solid keeper action in the inlet; a few more keepers in the mix lately. Note: Delaware tog season closes May 16, so this is your last two weeks. Live green crab

Striped Bass — Shorty stripers in the South Pocket in front of the Big Chill. Slot and over-slot fish showing on the end of the north jetty. Plugs and lead head/soft plastic c

Flounder — Active in Indian River Bay. Outgoing tide is best — pull up on a sand bar and drift back. Keepers reported including a 6.8 lb, 26¾" fish at the Old Grounds and

Sheepshead — Several up to 8 lbs being caught in the inlet during daytime; live sand fleas and frozen shrimp producing.

Bluefish — Historically bluefish blitz the inlet around Mother's Day; keep an eye out this week.

HOT BAITS & TECHNIQUES

TogStripersFlounderSheepshead

BEST SPOTS

North jetty endSouth Pocket (Big Chill area)Indian River Bay sand barsInlet structure/bridge pilings

Water temp

** ~54°F (warming; flounder bite will improve as temps push toward 60°F)

Today

** Cloudy, chance of showers, high ~59°F, N wind ~10 mp…

Monday

Sunny, high ~61°F, NW wind ~15 mph (gusts to 25 kt on o…

REGULATIONS

• Delaware Tautog season closes May 16 — this is prime time to get your tog in

• Striped Bass DE regulations: check current DNREC slot/creel limits

• Flounder: DE minimum 12.5", creel limit 8/day (verify with DNREC)

SOURCES

Maryland DNR Weekly Fishing Report – April 29, 2026  ·  Maryland Fishing Report – May 1, 2026 (Southern MD Chronicle)  ·  Maryland 2026 Striped Bass Season / Regulations  ·  Old Inlet Bait & Tackle – Indian River Inlet Fishing Report  ·  Delaware DNREC Fishing Report  ·  FishTalk Magazine – Upper Bay Reports  ·  Rock Hall, MD Marine Weather – US Harbors  ·  Indian River Inlet Marine Weather – US Harbors  ·  Indian River Inlet Tides – NOAA  ·  Anglers Sport Center Fishing Reports