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Fishing Conditions Forecast

Weekly Fishing Conditions Forecast Summary

April 24 - 30, 2024

forecast iconStable, moderate weather this week will make for great fishing conditions to enjoy the variety of fish currently swimming in Maryland’s waters. As reported from the NOAA buoys, main Bay surface water temperatures are holding in the high 50°F's. River temperatures are also holding in the upper 50s/low 60s. Low salinity regions will be prime areas to look for hickory and American shad as they move upriver to spawn. Keep an eye out for large gamefish ambushing the shad as they move upriver. 

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 - Seaonal temperatures all week (day: 60s/70s and night: 50s/60s). Rain not likely all week. Expect winds to be 10-15kt with gusts higher on Wednesday and Thursday. 5-15kt winds the rest of the week. Sunrise next week around 6:12am and sunset about 7:56pm.

  • Salinity - Rainfall to Maryland waters has recently increased so salinity is slightly below normal for this time of year.


  • 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 bottom
    • Little Choptank up to Choptank River: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Bloody Point: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Bay Bridge: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Swan Point: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Still Pond up to the Susquehanna Flats: Adequate oxygen to bottom
    • Potomac River: Adequate oxygen to bottom

    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 upper 50s(°F). River temperatures have also risen to the upper 50s/low 60s. 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): NR
      • Tolchester: 48.6°F
      • Baltimore/Patapsco River: 59.9°F
      • Thomas Point: 50.4°F
      • Annapolis NOAA Buoy: 64.0°F

    • For the mid/lower-Bay:
      • NOAA/DNR Gooses Reef buoy: 58.3°F
      • Bishops Head: 59.0°F
      • Choptank, Cambridge: 60.1°F

    • For the Potomac River:
      • Point Lookout NOAA buoy (surface): 58.1°F
      • Lewisetta: 59.4°F
      • Mallows Bay: NR
      • Washington DC at Little Falls (USGS): 62.4°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 poor but improving water clarity for the Maryland portion of the Bay down to the Bay Bridge as well as the Potomac River down to the 301 Bridge. 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 average flows for the Maryland rivers and streams. There will be above average tidal current conditions through Tuesday as a result of the upcoming full moon on Wednesday, April 24th.

  • 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.