It's a Fishing Day

Species

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix · family Pomatomidae

Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.

Preferred conditions

Water temp
60–80°F (ideal 70°F)
Tide
incoming
Moon
either
Depth
5–50 ft
Active months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Best bluefish conditions today

  1. Chincoteague NWR — Fishing Access Accomack, VA
    84/100
  2. Kiptopeke State Park Northampton, VA
    84/100
  3. Cape Charles Town Pier Northampton, VA
    84/100
  4. Rudee Inlet — Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA
    84/100
  5. Solomon's Island Fishing Pier Calvert, MD
    68/100
  6. Point Lookout State Park St. Mary's, MD
    68/100
  7. Flag Ponds Nature Park Calvert, MD
    68/100
  8. Assateague Island — MD Surf Worcester, MD
    43/100
  9. Ocean City Inlet — North Jetty Worcester, MD
    43/100
  10. Cape Henlopen State Park Sussex, DE
    43/100
  11. Indian River Inlet Sussex, DE
    43/100
  12. Lewes Canal Sussex, DE
    43/100
  13. Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing Sussex, DE
    43/100
  14. Delaware Seashore State Park Sussex, DE
    43/100
  15. Slaughter Beach Sussex, DE
    43/100
  16. Sandy Point State Park Anne Arundel, MD
    27/100
  17. Rocky Point Park — Essex Baltimore, MD
    27/100
  18. North Point State Park Baltimore, MD
    27/100
  19. Kent Narrows — Public Fishing Pier Queen Anne's, MD
    27/100
  20. Romancoke Pier Queen Anne's, MD
    27/100
  21. Matapeake Pier Queen Anne's, MD
    27/100
  22. Chesapeake Beach — Rod N' Reel Pier Calvert, MD
    27/100

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (tidal)

tidal bay

Min size
8"
Creel
5

Chesapeake Bay: 8-inch minimum. 5 per person on shore or private boat; 7 per person on for-hire (charter) boats. Federal ASMFC bluefish allocation — limit may change annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

atlantic

Min size
8"
Creel
5

Atlantic coast and coastal bays: 8-inch minimum. 5 per person on shore or private boat; 7 per person on for-hire boats. Subject to ASMFC coastwide allocation.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Delaware (tidal)

tidal delaware

Creel
3

Delaware Bay and tidal tributaries: no size limit. 3 fish/day from shore or private vessel, 5/day from charter or headboat. ASMFC coastwide allocation — may change annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

atlantic

Creel
3

Delaware Atlantic coast and Inland Bays: no size limit. 3 fish/day from shore or private vessel, 5/day from charter or headboat. ASMFC coastwide allocation.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (tidal — VMRC)

tidal bay

Creel
5

Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay): no minimum size, 5 per person per day. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-450 (effective March 31, 2026). Slightly looser than MD (5/day private, 7/day for-hire, 8-inch min).

Source · verified 2026-04-22

atlantic

Creel
5

Virginia Atlantic coast: no minimum size, 5 per person per day. 4VAC20-450 — matches the tidal Bay rule. ASMFC coastwide allocation; adjusted annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Potomac main stem (PRFC)

tidal potomac

Min size
8"
Creel
3

Potomac River main stem (PRFC): 8-inch minimum, 3 per day. Bluefish reach the lower tidal Potomac in summer but are not a primary fishery that far upriver. PRFC Blue Sheet rule. Stricter creel than either MD or VA tidal Bay.

Source · verified 2026-04-22