As the water temperature in the middle Chesapeake Bay region dips toward the 50°F mark, local anglers are noticing an uptick in activity among various species, notably the chain pickerel. With striped bass still a popular target, many are turning their focus to pickerel, which are thriving in the rivers this time of year. "November through December is my favorite time of year to target them," said an experienced angler who has recently been enjoying excellent pickerel fishing.
"November through December is my favorite time of year to target them,"
The Severn River, along with other mid-bay rivers like the Magothy, has proven to be abundant with pickerel. "The species is popular to target in the millponds of the Eastern Shore, as well as the Tuckahoe, upper-Choptank, Nanticoke/Marshyhope, and Pocomoke rivers," the angler noted, highlighting the broad appeal of pickerel fishing in the region.
"The species is popular to target in the millponds of the Eastern Shore, as well as the Tuckahoe, upper-Choptank, Nanticoke/Marshyhope, and Pocomoke rivers,"
Recently, the Severn River has been a fruitful spot for one local fisherman, who shared, "In the past week, I’ve been on the water three times to target the pickerel/perch fishery, specifically around my home creek at Valentine." Kayak fishing has become a favored method, especially accessible for reaching the back coves of these waters.
"This creek pattern is fairly easy to replicate, given the right conditions, for very good pickerel fishing," the angler explained, emphasizing the necessity of being prepared. He recalled a successful fishing year, where he encountered sizable schools of yellow perch, making each autumn outing particularly exciting.
"This creek pattern is fairly easy to replicate, given the right conditions, for very good pickerel fishing,"
Safety is paramount while fishing in colder months. "When fishing from a kayak at this time of year, one must exercise extreme safety and be mindful of all weather conditions," the angler cautioned, underlining the importance of wearing a personal flotation device and being cautious of the surrounding elements to avoid mishaps during outings.
"When fishing from a kayak at this time of year, one must exercise extreme safety and be mindful of all weather conditions,"
During a recent outing, the angler faced challenges with initial conditions. "I only encountered one chasing pickerel having effectively worked an entire stretch of shoreline," he reflected. After pivoting tactics to explore deeper water, the fishing changed dramatically. He shared, "I felt a tap, then a thump…and drag began to peel off quickly from my light setup. I thought, 'large pickerel,' but the deepwater pull gave away that it was a nice-sized striper!"
"I only encountered one chasing pickerel having effectively worked an entire stretch of shoreline,"
The thrill of catching an unexpected fish added an exciting twist to his trip. This striper, measuring approximately 24–25 inches, was a delightful surprise, highlighting the varied fishing experiences possible in the Chesapeake region.
The following week presented another opportunity to hit the waters after a new moon, offering favorable fishing conditions. "High water plus south-facing shorelines that have been hit with sun is usually a successful recipe for finding pickerel," the angler explained, demonstrating his tactical approach based on environmental conditions.
"High water plus south-facing shorelines that have been hit with sun is usually a successful recipe for finding pickerel,"
With optimism, he set out in his kayak, hoping for a successful day. His first cast was met with anticipation, but frayed nerves as a strong pickerel airborne with energy managed to shake loose. "Elation and defeat in all of 5 seconds," he humorously recalled.
"Elation and defeat in all of 5 seconds,"
However, persistence paid off. "Second cast, another hit! This time, I pulled in a small pickerel and released him safely," he recounted. Followed by a string of successful catches, he shared that the action continued until dusk, reminiscing about hooking perhaps 15 fish and landing around 8 on that memorable outing.
Despite the solitary nature of pickerel, their gathering tendencies during optimal conditions have been a boon for anglers this autumn. "Finding many pickerel in one area is not uncommon in the right circumstance," he explained. Each outing serves as a reminder of the varied and rich fishing experiences possible within the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, especially as seasons change.
"Finding many pickerel in one area is not uncommon in the right circumstance,"
In closing, as the colder months approach, pickerel fishing in the Chesapeake Bay remains an excellent choice for local anglers. The combination of favorable conditions and local knowledge continues to yield impressive catches, making it an exciting time to be on the water.