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Inshore migration calendar

Chesapeake Bay (Upper) migration calendar.

Mid-AtlanticMaryland5 species tracked

The Chesapeake produces about 70 percent of the Atlantic Coast striped bass population — making it the single most important inshore migration estuary on the East Coast. Spring trophy season targets pre-spawn fish staging at the mouth of the bay; resident bass live in the bay year-round.

Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year over year with water temperature, weather, and bait movement. Cross-reference with NOAA marine forecast and a local source before planning a trip.

What's running now — May

5 active species

Auto-updated based on the current month. The planning section that matters for trips this week.

Chesapeake Bay (Upper) hotspots

Productive locations
  • Bay Bridge Tunnel
  • Susquehanna Flats
  • Tangier Sound
  • Patapsco River mouth
Active this month
  • BluefishPeak
  • CobiaPeak
  • Striped BassGood
  • WeakfishGood
  • Summer FlounderGood

All species — sorted by current month

  • BluefishPomatomus saltatrix
    Peak
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Wintering offshore. Typical water temp: 42–50°FFeb — Absent Few fish present. Typical water temp: 44–50°FMar — Possible First spring arrivals possible in southern part of region. Typical water temp: 50–56°FApr — Good Spring run beginning; chopping bunker in the bays. Typical water temp: 54–62°FMay — Peak Peak spring run — choppers in bays and along beaches. Typical water temp: 60–68°FJun — Good Spring run thinning as fish push north. Typical water temp: 66–74°FJul — Fair Resident summer fish; numbers down from spring. Typical water temp: 72–80°FAug — Fair Same — scattered summer fish. Typical water temp: 74–82°FSep — Good Fall return with cooling water and bait. Typical water temp: 66–74°FOct — Peak Peak fall blues with bait migrations through the bays. Typical water temp: 58–66°FNov — Good Fall run continuing south; biggest fish of the year. Typical water temp: 52–60°FDec — Possible Last stragglers leaving the region. Typical water temp: 46–54°F
    Best months: May · October

    Peak spring run — choppers in bays and along beaches.

    Top lures: Metal-lipped poppers, Diamond jigs, Cut bunker chunks (wire leader)
    Full Bluefish calendar for Chesapeake Bay (Upper)
  • CobiaRachycentron canadum
    Peak
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Wintering off FL. Typical water temp: 44–52°FFeb — Absent Same. Typical water temp: 46–52°FMar — Absent Spring migration not yet here. Typical water temp: 50–58°FApr — Possible Earliest fish at the mouth of the Bay. Typical water temp: 58–64°FMay — Peak Cobia run begins — fish following rays into Chesapeake. Typical water temp: 64–72°FJun — Peak Peak Chesapeake cobia season — sight fishing on flats and bridge structures. Typical water temp: 72–78°FJul — Good Resident fish through summer. Typical water temp: 76–82°FAug — Good Same — fish on buoys and structure. Typical water temp: 78–82°FSep — Fair Fall departure begins. Typical water temp: 72–78°FOct — Possible Most fish gone south. Typical water temp: 64–72°FNov — Absent Departed. Typical water temp: 56–64°FDec — Absent Wintering south. Typical water temp: 50–56°F
    Best months: May · June

    Cobia run begins — fish following rays into Chesapeake.

    Top lures: Live eels, Bucktail jigs, Whole crab on bottom
    Full Cobia calendar for Chesapeake Bay (Upper)
  • Striped BassMorone saxatilis
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Fair Resident bay fish in deep channel water; some holdover migration fish. Typical water temp: 38–46°FFeb — Good Pre-spawn fish staging at bay mouth; late winter trophy fishery on big migratory fish. Typical water temp: 40–48°FMar — Peak Spring trophy season — pre-spawn migrants stage at the mouth of the Bay. Typical water temp: 44–52°FApr — Peak Spring spawn moving up the rivers. Trophy fish and migrating bass throughout. Typical water temp: 50–58°FMay — Good Post-spawn fish recovering; migration continuing north out of the Bay. Typical water temp: 56–64°FJun — Fair Resident summer bass on structure; larger migrants gone north. Typical water temp: 64–72°FJul — Fair Hot water pushes fish to deeper channels and the cooler bay mouth. Typical water temp: 70–78°FAug — Fair Same hot-water pattern. Early/late tide and structure focus. Typical water temp: 72–80°FSep — Good Cooling water reactivates resident fish and brings southbound migrants back. Typical water temp: 64–72°FOct — Peak Fall run — bait migrations through the Bay produce blitz conditions. Typical water temp: 56–64°FNov — Peak Peak fall striper season. Big fish on bait throughout the Bay. Typical water temp: 50–58°FDec — Good Late season fish pushing south but resident bay fish still active. Typical water temp: 42–50°F
    Best months: March · April · October · November

    Post-spawn fish recovering; migration continuing north out of the Bay.

    Top lures: Live menhaden, Soft plastic shads on jigheads, Bucktail jigs
    Full Striped Bass calendar for Chesapeake Bay (Upper)
  • WeakfishCynoscion regalis
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Wintering offshore. Typical water temp: 42–48°FFeb — Absent Not yet present. Typical water temp: 44–50°FMar — Possible Earliest fish arriving in Delaware Bay. Typical water temp: 50–56°FApr — Fair Spring weakfish run — historically the most famous in the country. Typical water temp: 56–62°FMay — Good Best month for weakfish in Mid-Atlantic bays — population reduced. Typical water temp: 60–66°FJun — Fair Fish moving to deeper structure. Typical water temp: 66–72°FJul — Fair Summer fish — small profile baits over structure. Typical water temp: 72–78°FAug — Fair Same pattern. Typical water temp: 74–80°FSep — Good Fall return into bays. Typical water temp: 68–74°FOct — Fair Fish departing south. Typical water temp: 60–66°FNov — Absent Most fish have moved south. Typical water temp: 52–58°FDec — Absent Wintering offshore south. Typical water temp: 46–52°F
    Best months: No peak month identified

    Best month for weakfish in Mid-Atlantic bays — population reduced.

    Top lures: Small soft plastics on light jigheads, Live shrimp under popping cork, Bay anchovy imitations
    Full Weakfish calendar for Chesapeake Bay (Upper)
  • Summer FlounderParalichthys dentatus
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Offshore wintering. Typical water temp: 42–48°FFeb — Absent Same. Typical water temp: 44–50°FMar — Possible Earliest fish in southern part of region. Typical water temp: 48–54°FApr — Fair Spring fluke arriving in bays and inlets. Typical water temp: 54–60°FMay — Good Spring inshore — fluke on sand bottoms. Typical water temp: 58–66°FJun — Peak Peak summer fluke — channels, drops, and back bays. Typical water temp: 66–74°FJul — Peak Same — best time for doormat-class fish. Typical water temp: 72–80°FAug — Good Summer fluke fishing solid. Typical water temp: 74–80°FSep — Good Fall offshore migration begins. Typical water temp: 68–74°FOct — Fair Last of the season inshore. Typical water temp: 60–66°FNov — Absent Fish have moved offshore. Typical water temp: 52–58°FDec — Absent Offshore. Typical water temp: 46–52°F
    Best months: June · July

    Spring inshore — fluke on sand bottoms.

    Top lures: Bucktail tipped with squid or Gulp!, Spro Bucktail Jig + curly tail, Live killifish (mummichog)
    Full Summer Flounder calendar for Chesapeake Bay (Upper)

Month-by-month — top 5 species

Quick reference for trip planning across the year. Each cell shows the typical migration status for that month.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Striped Bass
Bluefish
Summer Flounder
Cobia
Weakfish
PeakGoodFairPossibleAbsent

Regional notes — top species

Bluefish in Chesapeake Bay (Upper)

Spring choppers arrive April–May with the bunker, push north through June. Resident summer fish thinned out; fall return September–November tracks bait migrations through the bays.

Cobia in Chesapeake Bay (Upper)

The Chesapeake cobia run is one of the iconic spring saltwater migrations on the East Coast. Fish arrive following cownose rays into the Bay in May and stay through summer; depart by October.

Striped Bass in Chesapeake Bay (Upper)

The Chesapeake spawning population dominates the Mid-Atlantic. Pre-spawn fish stage at the Bay mouth in February–March; spawn in tributaries April–May; resident bay fish through summer; fall run produces peak October–November fishing.

Marine forecast

NOAA Zone ANZ533

Wind, swell, and tide-stage forecasts that drive whether fish are feeding inshore or holding offshore.

State agencies

Bag limits, slot rules, and seasonal closures live with the agencies — verify before keeping fish.

Real-time migration alerts for Chesapeake Bay (Upper).

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data, water temperature readings, and your saved species list together — and alerts you when arrivals reach your home water.

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Nearby regions
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