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Choptank River

River fishing  Maryland · 06:05 - 20:15

Choptank River is a river in Maryland. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Good 65% The bite right now
Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
77%
85°
Best day
Mon
77%
85°
Tue
77%
85°
Wed
77%
86°
Thu
74%
87°
Fri
71%
86°

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

Conditions right now

Weather
Partly cloudy
Water temp (est.)
79°F
Air temp
82°F
Wind
5 mph
Pressure
29.95 inHg → stable
Clouds
99.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:20–07:20 Day 07:20–19:00 Dusk 19:00–21:00

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

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit
Major period 02:18–04:18 Major period 14:18–16:18 Minor period 20:48–22:18 Minor period 08:19–09:49

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

10:00
82°
11:00
85°
12:00
87°
13:00
88°
14:00
88°
15:00
87°
16:00
87°
17:00
85°
18:00
84°
19:00
82°
20:00
81°
21:00
79°

Likely catch now (14 species)

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
65%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.
Tap for details
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
42%
Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
42%
Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
40%
Overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
White Bass
Morone chrysops
32%
Active through the day, off season, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
31%
Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season.
Tap for details

About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, White Bass and Flathead Catfish.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day 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 float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try red, yellow and bright tags for bluegill.
Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.
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 Choptank River is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and the largest river on the Delmarva Peninsula. Running for 71 miles (114 km), it rises in Kent County, Delaware, runs through Caroline County, Maryland, and forms much of the border between Talbot County, Maryland, on the north, and Caroline County and Dorchester County on the east and south. It is located north of the Nanticoke River, and its mouth is located south of Eastern Bay. Cambridge, the county seat of Dorchester County, and Denton, the county seat of Caroline County, are located on its south shore.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Choptank River?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, White Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish.

Do you need a fishing license at Choptank 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 Choptank River?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Choptank River right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 42%.