So now what do we do?

[Shoobs]

Just curious how you change up your plans for April fishing since stripers are shut down? I know many of you are used to these regs and was wondering if you change up and head to freshwater or stay in the salt and target other species?

[Redfish12]

perch!

[Mark]

I didn't target early season stripers to begin with. I seek them mostly in late summer and fall.

At this time of year, I continue my winter quest for pickerels in tidal creeks and freshwater ponds.

As spring matures, my catches of picks in both waters will decline as white perch move into the creeks and bass and bluegills become more active in the ponds.

I adjust the flies and lures I use somewhat depending on the season and species, but not as much as you may think. And I alter my presentations as water temps rise. But those are topics for another thread.

Also, I have to say that the weather this year has been the worst in my recent memory for kayak fishing. The snows and ice of January and February yielded to high winds throughout March and so far into April. I have not fished in my kayak this year as much I have in past years by this time.

[Shoobs]

Thanks for the responses- and Mark I was thinking last night if this spring was as challenging as years past - especially the winds - so thanks for that confirmation. Wind and work are often my most challenging elements. I look forward to targeting perch for the first time. I caught only one before when bank shad fishing last year at Chain Bridge on the Potomac. Do the perch stick around through summer and leave again in the fall?

[Jigsup]

Not too crazy about rockfish although fun to catch. Based on their circumstances I’ve only targeted them once in the last 5 years or so that I can remember. Just not worth it to me.
I agree with Redfish12 about perch. I normally take the kayak out around May when water temp gets warmer. So perch and blue catfish are my main targets. Snakeheads sometimes also. Watching a bobber go down from a perch is more exciting to me.

[Mark]

It will be a while before white perch arrive in good numbers in the tidal creeks of the Patapsco, Severn and Magothy where I usually fish for them. It's never early enough and posts here will confirm that as many look for them in April and early May only to be disappointed. Regular catches of double-digit quantities via artificials on outings are usually not routine until late May to June. That will last throughout the summer and even into early October. By November, white perch catches become less frequent, although I caught my largest one of 2021 (12.5 inches) last November while pickerel fishing in the Magothy.

They'll populate the shallows near structure and they like shady water on hot days. They are easy to catch with small spinners, jigs with Mr. Twisters, streamer flies and even small dropper flies suspended under a strike indicator. I especially enjoy catching them via this latter method.

White perch are the most reliable game in town during the dog days of summer. They save many a tidal kayak fishing outing for me in summer from being blanked.

[dsaavedra]

April is a prime month for largemouth and snakehead, so that's where I'll be focusing my attention.

[Huntrava]

Gotta agree, the next couple of months are great for a variety of species. In my experience, the bite can vary widely day-to-day in March and April. Personally I usually start my day targeting Largemouth Bass, but I recently installed a Garmin Livescope on my PA12 that is a blast for Crappie when the bass aren't biting.

[Shoobs]

Great to read all these responses and the range of approaches. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

[Red_Beard]

For me April is all about freshwater bass fishing and the shad run at Fletchers. It is probably my favorite month of fishing all year long!

[Shoobs]

For me April is all about freshwater bass fishing and the shad run at Fletchers. It is probably my favorite month of fishing all year long!

Great to hear this Cliff - I am looking forward to Fletchers as well. I saw this today - likely you are already familiar: https://www.ncc-tu.org/shad-reports.html

[Red_Beard]

Great to hear this Cliff - I am looking forward to Fletchers as well. I saw this today - likely you are already familiar: https://www.ncc-tu.org/shad-reports.html

Oh yes, I've been getting the Shad Report emails for several years now, ever since I first started to attend their annual Shad Night's back in 2014. The shad fishing has been pretty good the last couple weeks, but will probably be on hold this weekend due to high water. The bite should be in full swing next weekend though with the river coming back down and the temperatures climbing up!

[UnkleRob2020]

Cannot believe I forgot about Fletcher's. I hope to find a weekday in the next couple of weeks to fish there. Last year, it was good fishing, but on a busy weekend day I was overwhelmed by the congestion on the water from other anglers. I had not purchased my Native Falcon 11 yet and was in an old sit-in kayak. The guys with hobies and Torquedeos made me feel like I was driving a bicycle during rush hour on the Beltway

[ronaultmtd]

The PRFC Potomac is not shut down...just got to use barbless hooks and practice catch and release...and there are plenty of other fish to catch..I have not taken a Striper home for three consecutive years and don't plan to start any time soon...freshwater crappie fishing is good this time of year and they are great eating fish...yellow Perch are too! As others have posted white perch are beginning to show up in their usual hangouts, most are still in deeper water, but they will strike blade baits jigged just off the bottom...and there is always the big uglies- the catfish...

[UnkleRob2020]

What is PRFC Potomac? It looks like it is the fisheries commision but I am not sure if there are certain waters that are "in bounds" or "out of bounds?" Thank you