Love is in the air and the fear of cabin fever is at its peak in Maryland this February for most of us who love the outdoors. Locally, our waterfowl season has ended, and we are thankful for the opportunities granted during this mild winter. To overcome and offset our withdrawals from the great outdoors, we venture into our local creeks and streams.
It is during this time that the staging and spawning of Maryland’s Yellow and White Perch is in full effect. It is a great activity for all ages and is a great way for anglers with or without a vessel to get in on the action. It is an inexpensive activity that I have enjoyed since childhood and now serves as a break from regular annual maintenance and upgrades to my charter boat The Marylander.
In previous years, what I have found most enjoyable is the journey. These fish spawn in stages, and temperature is a key element when targeting them. If your timing is right, you may be able to target each species of these fish in several locations and waterways throughout the state during different weeks this month. It’s a great way to day-trip, see different parts of the state, practice fishing with ultra-light tackle, and visit different tackle shops around the region. These local businesses are the epicenter of each region’s fishery and are a fountain of knowledge when gearing up for your day’s adventure.
As an always eager angler who just can't get enough, I enjoy a day of hiking natural trails and public streams to target the holes and pockets where these fish spawn. It is your choice to catch or release as an outdoorsman—but be mindful that these fish are reproducing for your future harvest, and you are handling them during a stage of reproduction.
We are also in a continued state of preparation during this month for the opening of our Striped Bass Season on May 1.
Please check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and at www.marylandfishingandhunting.com for the latest details on our adventures. We are eager to start another great season on the Chesapeake Bay and are looking forward to creating more memorable experiences for the love of fishing.
Before you head out for your next day on the water in Maryland, be sure to visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for information on licenses and regulations and if you want to make an adventure of it, head to the Planning Resources section of FishandHuntMaryland.com for lodging options, guides, outfitters, and more.
