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Chester River

River fishing  Maryland · 06:34 - 16:59

Chester River is a stretch of moving water in Maryland. The main target species are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout and Walleye.

Prime 80% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 13 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
84%
72°
Fri
84%
72°
Sat
85%
55°
Best day
Sun
75%
58°
Mon
80%
58°
Tue
74%
62°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
55°F
Air temp
54°F
Wind
6 mph
Pressure
30.17 inHg ↓ falling
Clouds
2.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:49–07:49 Dusk 15:44–17:44

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:12–09:12 Major period 19:12–21:12 Minor period 01:09–02:39 Minor period 13:45–15:15

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

06:00
54°
07:00
54°
08:00
57°
09:00
62°
10:00
66°
11:00
69°
12:00
72°
13:00
73°
14:00
73°
15:00
73°
16:00
71°
17:00
66°

Likely catch now (14 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
80%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 13 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
61%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 13 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details ↗
Walleye
Sander vitreus
60%
Water near its preferred 13 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details ↗
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
59%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 13 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details ↗
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
37%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 13 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details ↗
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
36%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Anglers here regularly land Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Muskellunge, Brown Trout and Smallmouth Bass.

Striped Bass is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for striped bass at dawn. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, yellow and glow for striped bass.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

The Chester River is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the Delmarva Peninsula. It is about 43 miles (69 km) long, and its watershed encompasses 368 sq mi (950 km2), which includes 295 sq mi (760 km2) of land. Thus the total watershed area is 20% water. It forms the border between Kent County and Queen Anne's County, Maryland, with its headwaters extending into New Castle County and Kent County, Delaware. Chestertown, the seat of Maryland's Kent County, is located on its north shore. It is located south of the Sassafras River and north of Eastern Bay, and is connected with Eastern Bay through Kent Narrows.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Chester River?

Anglers here regularly land Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Muskellunge, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie and Brook Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Chester River?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Chester River?

Striped Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Chester River right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 43%.