Skip to content
Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Black Drum in Chesapeake Bay (Lower) may fishing.

Pogonias cromisSeasonal MovementGood

Spawn winding down; fish dispersing.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

Swipe to scroll →
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Possible Wintering offshore. Typical water temp: 42–50°FPossibleFeb — Fair Pre-spawn fish arriving. Typical water temp: 44–52°FFairMar — Peak Spring black drum spawn — Delaware Bay, Cape Charles inlets. Typical water temp: 52–58°FPeakApr — Peak Peak spring spawn — big fish in inlets. Typical water temp: 58–64°FPeakMay — Good Spawn winding down; fish dispersing. Typical water temp: 64–70°FGoodJun — Fair Resident fish on structure. Typical water temp: 70–76°FFairJul — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 76–80°FFairAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 76–82°FFairSep — Good Fall feeding before departure. Typical water temp: 70–76°FGoodOct — Good Same. Typical water temp: 62–68°FGoodNov — Fair Fish moving offshore. Typical water temp: 54–60°FFairDec — Possible Most fish offshore. Typical water temp: 48–54°FPossible

Migration pattern

Spring spawn in Delaware Bay and Cape Charles inlets March–May produces the year's bull-class drum fishing. Smaller slot fish year-round on structure.

Best locations

  • Bay Bridge Tunnel structure
  • Mouth of the Potomac
  • Fisherman's Island
  • Buoys 36/42

Top lures

  • Whole blue crab on bottom
  • Live shrimp
  • Cut clam
  • Cut crab
  • Fresh shrimp
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Black Drum in other regions

Get a notification when black drum show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Chesapeake Bay (Lower).

Download Bield: Fish