Choptank River

River fishing Maryland · 05:38 - 20:31

Choptank River is a river in Maryland. Flowing water with species ranked by weather, temperature and season, see below.

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Conditions right now

Weather

Clear sky

Water temp (est.)

72°F

Air temp

71°F

Wind

6 mph

Pressure

29.82 inHg ↓ falling

Clouds

0.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-06-17 14:53

Best times today

Dusk 19:16–21:16 Night 21:16–04:53

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

Next hours

08:00

71°

09:00

76°

10:00

79°

11:00

82°

12:00

83°

13:00

85°

14:00

85°

15:00

86°

16:00

86°

17:00

87°

18:00

85°

19:00

82°

Likely catch now (14 species)

Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

18%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

18%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

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Flathead Catfish

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

18%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.

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Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

11%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

6%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

5%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

5%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

3%

Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Black Crappie

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Bluegill

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.

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Brook Trout

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

3%

Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

2%

Slow during the night, bright sky slows things.

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White Bass

White Bass

Morone chrysops

2%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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About the fishing here

Choptank River is a river in Maryland.

Popular catches here include Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and Muskellunge.

Channel Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

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.

Tips right now

Technique Start with a ledger bait for channel catfish, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for channel catfish at night. Fish hard now.

Lure Ledger bait for channel catfish: Stinkbait on the bottom.

Colour Clear water and good light: try natural scent bait, scent over colour for channel catfish.

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:

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About this water

The Choptank River is a major tributary of 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

Nanticoke River Delaware · 19.4 mi away Deep Creek Delaware · 21.8 mi away Broad Creek Delaware · 21.8 mi away Deep Creek Delaware · 22.7 mi away Deep Creek Delaware · 23.1 mi away Broad Creek Delaware · 24.5 mi away Broad Creek Delaware · 25.1 mi away Mud Millpond Delaware · 25.4 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Choptank River?

Popular catches here include Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass.

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?

Channel Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

What is biting at Choptank River right now?

Right now Channel Catfish is the most likely catch, at about 18%.