March is the month Chesapeake Bay fishing transforms from a winter grind into one of the most spectacular shows in East Coast fishing. Water temperatures climb through the low 50s°F in the upper Bay, and striped bass — following the spawn migration that is hardwired into their biology — begin stacking on the legendary Susquehanna Flats near Havre de Grace. By late March, schools of 20 to 40-pound rockfish will be visible on the surface in water so shallow you can see the bottom. This is the Chesapeake at its finest.
Inshore Fishing — March 2025
Striped Bass — Susquehanna Flats Spawn Run
The Susquehanna Flats spawn run is arguably the finest shallow-water striper fishing in the United States. Beginning in mid-March and peaking in April, hundreds of thousands of striped bass stage on the Susquehanna Flats — a vast shallow-water (4–8 feet) sand and grass flat at the head of the Bay near Havre de Grace, Maryland. Access is excellent from the Susquehanna State Park boat ramp and Havre de Grace City Dock.
Technique is everything on the Flats. The fish are visible — you can watch them feeding on schools of threadfin shad in the shallows. Surface lures (Chugger-style poppers, Heddon Zara Spooks, and large Yo-Zuri lures) produce explosive surface strikes. Large soft plastic shad tails on 1 oz jig heads, worked with a stop-and-go retrieve, also work well. Light spinning gear (10–15 lb test on a 7–8 ft medium-heavy rod) enhances the fight with these large fish in shallow water.
The Bay Bridge pilings and the Sandy Point Shoal area just north of the Bay Bridge also concentrates March bass — fish the incoming tide as water pushes north up the Bay and concentrates bait against the bridge structure.
Yellow Perch — Upper Bay Tributaries at Peak
Yellow perch are at maximum concentration in March. The Choptank River (Cambridge to Secretary), Patuxent River (Solomons area), and Bush River near Aberdeen are the most consistent producers. Water temperatures of 48–55°F trigger aggressive feeding. Tube jigs in chartreuse or white on 1/16 oz heads, worked slowly through current seams in 5–15 feet of water, produce limits. Many anglers pursue perch from the bank with light spinning gear and a single hook tipped with a small minnow or waxworm.
Offshore Fishing — March 2025
March offshore action begins improving dramatically. The CBBT becomes a true offshore destination as cobia scouts begin appearing around the tunnel islands on the warmest days of late March. Spanish mackerel make their first appearance at the Bay mouth. The Cell Buoy produces both rockfish and cobia by month’s end in warm years.
Top Techniques — March
1. Topwater on the Flats: At dawn on the Susquehanna Flats, position the boat in 6 feet of water and cast ahead of visible schools. Walk a Heddon Zara Spook or Super Spook on a steady figure-eight retrieve. The strikes are violent and visible from 50 yards away. Use a long shank hook to prevent bass from running the lure — a common problem with large topwater plugs and powerful shallow-water stripers.
2. Live-lining herring at the Bay Bridge: Freshwater herring (blueback herring) run the Bay in March. Live-line them on 5/0 circle hooks on light fluorocarbon leaders in the current seams behind the Bay Bridge pilings. Let the current carry the herring naturally — stripers that are feeding on the bait schools will intercept it.
3. Jigging the shipping channel: In the deep channel between the upper Bay Bridge and the Susquehanna Flats (20–30 feet), bucktail jigs in white (1.5–3 oz) worked in long sweeping strokes through the current produce stripers that haven’t moved to the shallows yet. This is the most consistent early March pattern before water temps break 50°F.
Insider Tips
The Susquehanna Flats run on a water temperature trigger. The spawn run accelerates sharply when upper Bay water temperatures break 52°F. Monitor the USGS water temperature gauge at the Susquehanna River mouth (available online) — when it crosses that threshold, the Flats are worth the drive.
Respect the spawning fish. The Chesapeake’s striped bass population is the source stock for the entire East Coast migration. Handle fish carefully on the Flats — support the belly, minimize air exposure, use barbless or single hooks when possible, and release quickly. The spawn run exists because of conservation; fish it responsibly.
Looking Ahead to April
April is the Chesapeake’s best month of the year. The Susquehanna Flats spawn run peaks in the first two weeks. Cobia begin appearing at the CBBT by mid-month. The entire Bay warms rapidly, triggering feeding across all species. Prepare for the best fishing of the season.
Updated every Thursday. See our Chesapeake Bay Fishing Guide for year-round detail.