Blackwater NWR — Fishing Area, Dorchester County, MD
Blue Catfish fishing today
Great day to fish for Blue Catfish.
74/100
Why today scores 74
- 63°F water — Inside Blue Catfish's active range
- 6 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Blackwater NWR — Fishing Area
- Water temp
- 63°F
- Air temp
- 80°F
- Wind
- 2 to 6 mph NW
- Tide phase
- outgoing
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:18 AM / 7:46 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:40 AM - 1:40 AM · 4:40 AM - 6:40 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:10 PM - 7:10 PM
- Forecast
- Mostly Sunny
About Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus. Invasive apex predator, now abundant throughout the tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke. MDDNR actively encourages harvest. Caught on cut bait (bunker, white perch, gizzard shad) fished on bottom. 50+ lb fish are routine on the Potomac.
Preferred water temp: 55–85°F (ideal 72°F). Preferred tide: either.
MD regulations
- Daily creel limit
- 0
Invasive species in Maryland tidal waters. No minimum size, no creel limit, open year-round. MDDNR encourages anglers to harvest rather than release. Not listed in the Chesapeake Bay seasons/sizes/limits table because no restrictions apply.
Source: MD regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.