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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Weakfish in Delaware Bay may fishing.

Cynoscion regalisMigratoryGood

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

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.

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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°FPossibleApr — Fair Spring weakfish run — historically the most famous in the country. Typical water temp: 56–62°FFairMay — Good Best month for weakfish in Mid-Atlantic bays — population reduced. Typical water temp: 60–66°FGoodJun — Fair Fish moving to deeper structure. Typical water temp: 66–72°FFairJul — Fair Summer fish — small profile baits over structure. Typical water temp: 72–78°FFairAug — Fair Same pattern. Typical water temp: 74–80°FFairSep — Good Fall return into bays. Typical water temp: 68–74°FGoodOct — Fair Fish departing south. Typical water temp: 60–66°FFairNov — Absent Most fish have moved south. Typical water temp: 52–58°FDec — Absent Wintering offshore south. Typical water temp: 46–52°F

Migration pattern

Delaware Bay and the lower Chesapeake were historically the famous spring weakfish destinations. Population now reduced. Best windows remain April–June and September–October.

Best locations

  • Cape May Reef
  • Old Reedy Island
  • Lewes Beach
  • Mispillion River mouth

Top lures

  • Small soft plastics on light jigheads
  • Live shrimp under popping cork
  • Bay anchovy imitations
  • Bucktails tipped with squid
Verify with current conditions

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

Weakfish in other regions

Get a notification when weakfish 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 Delaware Bay.

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