Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Speckled Trout in Chesapeake Bay (Lower) june fishing.

  • Cynoscion nebulosus
  • Seasonal Movement
  • Good

Summer pattern — flats at dawn and dusk.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with Virginia Marine Resources Commission before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Speckled Trout · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Possible Sub-50 water; fish in deepest holes if present at all. Typical water temp: 40–48°FPossibleFeb — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 42–50°FPossibleMar — Fair Fish becoming active as water warms. Typical water temp: 50–58°FFairApr — Good Spring trout return to grass flats. Typical water temp: 58–64°FGoodMay — Good Strong spring fishing. Typical water temp: 64–70°FGoodJun — Good Summer pattern — flats at dawn and dusk. Typical water temp: 70–76°FGoodJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 78–84°FGoodSep — Good Cooler water reactivates flats fishing. Typical water temp: 72–78°FGoodOct — Good Strong fall fishing — fish feeding heavily. Typical water temp: 64–72°FGoodNov — Fair Fish moving to deeper water as cold fronts arrive. Typical water temp: 56–62°FFairDec — Fair Wintering pattern in deep marsh holes. Typical water temp: 46–54°FFair

Migration pattern

VA Eastern Shore is the northern edge of the main range. Fish active April–November; winter trout in deep marsh holes are slow but possible.

Best locations

  • Bay Bridge Tunnel structure
  • Mouth of the Potomac
  • Fisherman's Island
  • Buoys 36/42

Top lures

  • Soft plastic paddletails on jigheads
  • MirrOlure suspending plugs
  • Live shrimp under popping cork
  • Topwater plugs (dawn/dusk)
  • DOA shrimp

Speckled Trout in other regions

Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore →North Carolina Outer Banks →North Carolina Southern Coast →South Carolina Coast →Georgia Coast →Northeast Florida →All speckled trout regions →

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Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Chesapeake Bay (Lower).

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