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Fishing Conditions Forecast

Weekly Fishing Conditions Forecast Summary

June 25 - July 1, 2025

forecast iconExpect another week of warm fishing weather with unstable conditions for Maryland Bay waters. There is a chance of thunderstorms all week. As reported by the NOAA buoys, main Bay surface water temperatures have increased to low to mid-80s(°F) with river temperatures are slightly cooler in the upper 70°Fs. Due to recent rains, expect above average flows for most Maryland rivers and streams. However, except for the upper Bay, the long-term rain deficit continues to result in Bay salinities that are still currently above average. There will be oxygen down to about 20’ for the Colonial Beach area of the Potomac River. However, there is plenty of oxygen down to at least 35’ for all Bay gamefish in the rest of Maryland’s Bay waters. Keep an eye out for widgeon grass, great fish habitat, blooming in the shallows with yellow flowers. In addition, this is the time of the year when oysters are spawning throughout the Bay. Horseshoe crab spawning peak will be occurring at high tides near the new moon in June.

As always, the best fishing areas could be further refined by intersecting them with underwater points, hard bottom, drop-offs, and large schools of baitfish.

For more detailed and up-to-date fishing conditions in your area of the bay, be sure to check out Eyes on the Bay's Click Before You Cast.

Fishing Condition Details:

  • Pattern Stability - Another warm week ahead (day: 80/90's, night: 70's). However, there is a chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday through Tuesday. Expect 5-10kt winds all week. Sunrise next week around 5:43am and sunset around 8:36pm.

  • Salinity - Despite recent rains, longer term flows Maryland waters are running below normal so salinity is slightly above normal for most Maryland waters this time of year. However, some upper Bay areas are fresher than normal.

  • Oxygen - Recent oxygen conditions are as follows:
    • Stateline up to Point Lookout: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Point No Point up to the Gooses: Adequate oxygen to ~95 ft
    • Little Choptank up to Choptank River: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Bloody Point: Adequate oxygen to ~20 ft
    • Bay Bridge: Adequate oxygen to ~20 ft
    • Swan Point: Adequate oxygen to ~16 ft
    • Still Pond up to the Susquehanna Flats: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Potomac River: Adequate oxygen to ~26 ft

    For oxygen forecasts, see VIMS Depth to 3 mg/l.
    To identify your local conditions, see "Don't fish below this depth."
    For information on Maryland's main bay oxygen conditions, see Maryland's latest hypoxia report.

  • Temperature (°F) - Main Bay surface temperatures have risen to the low to mid-80's (°F). River temperatures are in the upper 70's (°F). As recorded at the real-time NOAA and DNR buoys, daytime Bay water temperatures are as follows:

    • For the upper/mid-Bay:
      • Susquehanna River at Darlington (USGS): 81°F
      • Tolchester: NR
      • Baltimore/Patapsco River: 84°F
      • Thomas Point: NR
      • Annapolis NOAA Buoy: 83°F

    • For the mid/lower-Bay:
      • NOAA/DNR Gooses Reef buoy: 81°F
      • Bishops Head: 89°F
      • Choptank, Cambridge: 85°F

    • For the Potomac River:
      • Point Lookout NOAA buoy (surface): 86°F
      • Lewisetta: 88°F
      • Mallows Bay: NR
      • Washington DC at Little Falls (USGS): 86°F

    To see water temperature by depth, check out our interactive “Water Temperature by Depth map.” For water temperatures in some of Maryland’s smaller rivers and streams, check “NOAA’s Mid-Atlantic Water Temperatures.”

  • Clarity - Expect reduced water clarity for the upper bay from the Flats to the Patapsco rivers as well as the Potomac River down to Colonial Beach from recent heavy rains. In addition, expect reduced water clarity on the main bay from the South River down to the Rhode River as well as the Colonial Beach to St. George’s area of the Potomac River from algal blooms. To see the latest water clarity conditions on NOAA satellite maps, check "Eyes on the Bay Satellite Maps.”

  • Habitat - To see locations of key Bay bottom habitat, see the ”Bay Bottom Habitat Mapper.”

  • Moving water - Expect above average flows for most of Maryland rivers and streams. There will be above average tidal current conditions all week as a result of the new moon on Wednesday, June 25th.

  • Putting it all together - The best fishing areas could be further refined by intersecting these prime areas with underwater points, hard bottom, drop-offs, and large schools of baitfish.

For a step-by-step way to find the best fishing areas based on water conditions, be sure to check out Eyes on the Bay's Click Before You Cast. Have a safe and enjoyable fishing trip, and as always, drop us a line with comments or suggestions.