Local turkey hunters may have more than a few distractions when it comes to the developing fishing opportunities in the waters surrounding Northumberland County. Since there are still a couple of weeks left in the 2026 Spring Gobbler Season that include all-day hunting, outdoor folks can even choose to split their days between the woods and the water.

Since May 1, the nearby Chesapeake Bay waters of Maryland have had a recreational striped bass season underway. Some of these waters are just a short boat ride from ports in Northumberland County.

There are some other species of fish that are beginning to show up in nearby waters that can compete for the attention of hook-and-line anglers. Black drum are making their presence known to some who fish the Eastern Shore side of the Bay, and white perch are available in many of the tributaries on this side of Chesapeake Bay. Anglers who look for some snakehead (aka Chesapeake channa) action may see these transient predators making their presence known in the upper reaches of some local tributaries.

Likewise, local ponds and impoundments will start to offer some good opportunities to fish for bass and sunfish. Inland tidal waters that have blue catfish provide an option to fish for them.

Tracking Striper Movements

Nearby Chesapeake Bay waters are over 60 degrees, and this is encouraging the southern travel of post-spawn striped bass as they move down the Bay into nearby waters. Most of the larger fish will keep heading in south down the Bay toward the Atlantic Ocean.

These stripers feed as they move, and the forage of choice is menhaden (aka bunkers). The increase in Chesapeake Bay water temperatures also encourages the movement of bunkers as they filter-feed their way into and through the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Trolling Into the Striper Waves

Two different pulses or waves of post-spawn striped bass are either in nearby Maryland waters now or have already passed through on their trek toward the Atlantic Ocean. Fisheries biologists believe that the larger female striped bass are usually among the first pulse of post-spawn striped bass to leave upper Bay and tributary waters. Following close behind are the smaller male stripers, which should make up the bulk of the fish that are within close reach of a nearby boat ride.

Striper Slot Size Limits

The post-spawn male stripers may still exceed the maximum 24-inch slot size, but those caught and released that are closer to that size limit (24 inches) may encourage anglers to use the same bait and lure presentation. So, if you are successful in catching and releasing a 26–28-inch striped bass, continue to use that lure and how it is trolled, as it may attract a 24-inch striped bass.

Maryland’s current recreational striped bass season allows for one fish per person per day at 19–24 inches. Regulations for the 2026 recreational striped bass seasons in Maryland Chesapeake and tributary waters can be found at https://www. eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/striped-bass