Weekly Fishing Report
Rock Hall, MD
Season open Apr–Nov. Bay population ~238M crabs (down from 317M prior year — 6th consecutive below-avg year). May crabs available over docks & grass beds; expect smaller jimmies. Peak: June–September.
Gusts to 20 kt
Waves ~2 ft
Waves 1–2 ft
Improving ✅
Open Bay waters only (Brewerton Channel south) — all tributaries closed through May 31
Indian River Inlet, DE
Low 44°F
Fishable
Spring tide
Good access ✅
Striped Bass: DE coastal regs apply — check DNREC
🎣 Fishing Report — May 3, 2026
Overall: ✅ Good day to fish — striped bass harvest just opened May 1, rockfish active on Tolchester Bar; Indian River Inlet producing tog, flounder, and slot stripers from the jetty.
Rock Hall, MD (Upper Chesapeake Bay)
What's Biting
Striped Bass (Rockfish): Harvest season opened May 1 — trolling and jigging the main channel is working, light tackle anglers finding fish along Bay shore casting paddletails, jerkbaits, and glide/twitch baits. One fish per day, 19–24" slot limit in effect.
White Perch: Larger females have arrived in the lower Susquehanna River; casting small jig heads tipped with grass shrimp or a piece of minnow is working well.
Blue Catfish: Excellent bite in upper Bay tidal rivers — Chester River holding great numbers; Conowingo Dam pool producing some of the largest fish.
Hot Spots & Structure
Tolchester Bar — Main channel, charter boats live-lining spot for striped bass ("Rockfish candy")
Chester River — Best numbers for blue catfish
Channel edges and oyster bars — Structure holds rockfish all season
⚠️ Susquehanna Flats closed to targeting through May 31 (spawning protection zone)
Crabbing Season is open (Apr–Nov), but it's still early. The 2025 winter dredge survey counted 238 million crabs in the Bay — down from 317M the year prior, the sixth consecutive below-average juvenile recruitment. May crabs are moving but not at peak density yet; trapping over docks and grass beds should yield some catch, but expect smaller jimmies. Peak season is June–September.
Weather & Tides
Sunday May 3: High 62°F, NW winds 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt, waves ~2 ft — fishable but chop on open Bay
Monday May 4: Winds shift to S at 5–10 kt, waves 1–2 ft — excellent conditions improving through the day
Regulations to Note
Chesapeake Bay harvest season: May 1–Jul 31, 1 fish/day, 19–24" slot
Upper Bay spawning areas and all Bay tributaries closed through May 31
Harvest zone: Brewerton Channel south to Virginia line (open Bay waters only)
Indian River Inlet, DE
What's Biting
Tautog (Tog): Decent bite — keepers in the mix; north jetty rocks and inlet structure are holding fish
Flounder: Active in Indian River Bay and along the rocks; outgoing tide best — drift sandbars on the way out
Striped Bass: Slot and over-slot stripers caught off the end of the north jetty; schoolie rockfish action in the mornings
Sheepshead: Several fish up to 8 lbs reported in the inlet; live sand fleas and frozen shrimp working well
Bluefish: A few snapper blues on the incoming tide; full blitz expected around Mother's Day (mid-May)
Black Drum: Good run hit the surf late April; may still be lingering
Hot Baits & Techniques
Tog & sheepshead: Live sand fleas (selling out by mid-afternoon at Old Inlet) and frozen shrimp
Flounder: Lead head + Gulp! combo along the rocks; drift sandbars on outgoing tide
Stripers: Cut bait or lures off the north jetty end
Best Spots
North Jetty end — Stripers and tog holding on structure
Inlet rocks — Flounder and tog
Indian River Bay sandbars — Flounder on outgoing tide
Surf — Bluefish and drum
Water Temp & Tides
Water temp: ~54°F (up from 49°F late April) — warming trend boosting flounder activity
Spring tide phase in effect — larger tidal swings, strong currents through the inlet; time trips around tide changes
Weather
Sunday May 3: Partly cloudy, high 57°F, low 44°F — fishable
Monday May 4: Improving; lighter winds
Regulations to Note
Tautog: Check Delaware size and bag limits (min 16", 4 fish/day rec in May)
Striped Bass: Delaware coastal regulations in effect (separate from Maryland Bay regs)
Flounder: Summer flounder minimum 12.5" in Delaware state waters
Report compiled: May 3, 2026
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