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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Speckled Trout in Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore may fishing.

Cynoscion nebulosusSeasonal MovementGood

Strong spring fishing.

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 — Possible Sub-50 water; fish in deepest holes if present at all. Typical water temp: 40–48°FPossibleFeb — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 42–50°FPossibleMar — Fair Fish becoming active as water warms. Typical water temp: 50–58°FFairApr — Good Spring trout return to grass flats. Typical water temp: 58–64°FGoodMay — Good Strong spring fishing. Typical water temp: 64–70°FGoodJun — Good Summer pattern — flats at dawn and dusk. Typical water temp: 70–76°FGoodJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 78–84°FGoodSep — Good Cooler water reactivates flats fishing. Typical water temp: 72–78°FGoodOct — Good Strong fall fishing — fish feeding heavily. Typical water temp: 64–72°FGoodNov — Fair Fish moving to deeper water as cold fronts arrive. Typical water temp: 56–62°FFairDec — Fair Wintering pattern in deep marsh holes. Typical water temp: 46–54°FFair

Migration pattern

VA Eastern Shore is the northern edge of the main range. Fish active April–November; winter trout in deep marsh holes are slow but possible.

Best locations

  • Hog Island flats
  • Wreck Island bar
  • Oyster inlet
  • Little Wachapreague

Top lures

  • Soft plastic paddletails on jigheads
  • MirrOlure suspending plugs
  • Live shrimp under popping cork
  • Topwater plugs (dawn/dusk)
  • DOA 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.

Speckled Trout in other regions

Get a notification when speckled trout 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 Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore.

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