The Chesapeake Bay Rockfish season is now open and runs through June 15. The minimum size is 19 inches, with a maximum size of 24 inches. The Virginia coastal season opens May 16 and continues through December 31. The minimum size is 28 inches, with a maximum length of 31 inches. Rockfish have been biting well inside the rivers and creeks and along the oceanfront.
Also in the Bay, there are reports of Spanish Mackerel from Virginia Beach to the CBBT. The lower bay piers are also catching Spanish mackerel along with croakers, sea mullet, red drum, black drum and bluefish. Lots of flounder are coming from the seaside of the Eastern Shore but some nice flatties are now moving into the Bay waters, especially near the CBBT.
Freshwater
Many lakes are low. Smith Mountain is down 5-feet. Buggs Island, however, is holding at normal levels. The stripers out of Buggs are now well up into the Dan and Staunton rivers in their spawning run. Stripers at Anna are going for live bait. Early mornings have been best. The rivers are all really low, making for difficult navigating. Crappie are now schooling and patrolling the docks. Bluegills are on the beds.
