Chesapeake Bay
Where? Maryland and Virginia
Why? In Chesapeake is a massive bay where water from more than 150 streams and rivers flows and eventually goes into the Atlantic Ocean. What’s interesting about the Chesapeake is that you get the chance to fish in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater in the same area. And with a whopping 11,000 miles of shoreline, you’ll never run out of spots to fish.
Best for: Inshore, fly, kayak, canoe, jig fishing
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Type of fish to catch: Striped bass, Spanish mackerel, redfish, cobia, black drum, tautog, flounder, spotted seatrout, bluefish, rainbow trout
Best time of year: All year round! Different fish for different seasons.
Places of interest: Great Chesapeake Bay Loop, Smith Island, Chestertown, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Captain John Smith National Historic Trail, Marinas, boat rentals, boat launch ramps, fishing charters, campgrounds, RV parks, lodging, bait & tackle, restaurants.