Sportfishing Weekly
Cover illustration for “What to Expect on a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charter”

Essay Fishing Regulations

What to Expect on a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charter

Learn when to book, what gear the crew provides, and how the season shapes your fishing method.

Priya Subramaniam8 min read

Fishing Regulations · Rockfish Seasons · Features

A blog and newsletter on Chesapeake Bay rockfish and seasonal fishing calendar and What to expect on a charter day.

Cover illustration for “Federal Waters Striper Rules Near the Bay Mouth”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Federal Waters Striper Rules Near the Bay Mouth

Boats must know whether they're in state or federal waters, as stripers are banned in the EEZ.

Delores Ybarra · 9 min read

Cover illustration for “ASMFC Striped Bass Management Plan Explained”

Essay Fishing Regulations

ASMFC Striped Bass Management Plan Explained

How slot limits, bag rules, and quota cuts work together to rebuild a depleted stock.

Marcus Thibodeau · 9 min read

Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Fishing License Requirements by State”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Chesapeake Bay Fishing License Requirements by State

Freshwater licenses don't cover the Bay's tidal waters in Maryland or Virginia.

Priya Subramaniam · 10 min read

Fish in the Bay often weigh more than 40 pounds, and past spring trophy seasons have yielded some very large fish.
From What to Expect on a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charter
Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Catch-and-Release Best Practices”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Catch-and-Release Best Practices

How anglers handle released striped bass determines whether they live or die.

Delores Ybarra · 10 min read

Cover illustration for “Virginia Striped Bass Regulations on the Chesapeake”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Virginia Striped Bass Regulations on the Chesapeake

Seven years of weak spawning threaten the entire Atlantic coast's striped bass population.

Priya Subramaniam · 11 min read

Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Population Trends and Stock Assessments”

Essay Rockfish Seasons

Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Population Trends and Stock Assessments

Chesapeake Bay's record recruitment collapse threatens the entire Atlantic striped bass stock.

Marcus Thibodeau · 9 min read

Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Season Dates by State”

Essay Rockfish Seasons

Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Season Dates by State

Maryland and Virginia manage the same fish stock under different season calendars.

Delores Ybarra · 9 min read

From the archive

  1. 01Essay Rockfish SeasonsSummer Rockfish Locations in Deep Bay ChannelsDelores Ybarra · 10 min read
  2. 02Essay Rockfish SeasonsWinter Catch-and-Release Rockfish Season RulesMarcus Thibodeau · 10 min read
  3. 03Essay Rockfish SeasonsFall Striper Migration in the ChesapeakeMarcus Thibodeau · 10 min read
  4. 04Essay Rockfish SeasonsChesapeake Bay Rockfish Spawning Run TimingDelores Ybarra · 11 min read
  5. 05Essay FeaturesMaryland Rockfish Size and Bag Limits for the Current YearDelores Ybarra · 10 min read
  6. 06Long read FeaturesLive Lining Spot for Big Chesapeake StripersMarcus Thibodeau · 12 min read