Calvert County, MD · Chesapeake Bay

Flag Ponds Nature Park

Flag Ponds Nature Park on the Calvert County western Bay shore offers beach and cliff shoreline fishing in a relatively undeveloped setting. White perch and stripers are the primary targets from the beach. Good fossil-hunting site as a bonus.

Live · updated Jul 12, 6:38 PM ET

Also a beach day? Swim conditions and water-quality advisories at Flag Ponds Nature Park on itsabeachday.com →

Top pick today

Spotted Seatrout — Workable day for Spotted Seatrout.

Best conditions of 4 species tracked at Flag Ponds Nature Park.

63 /100

good

NWSActive weather alert

Small Craft Advisory issued July 12 at 3:59PM EDT until July 13 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Atmosphere

Air Temp

82°F

Mostly Sunny

Wind

9 mph

Rain

Monday

Pressure

Steady

6-hour trend

Water

Water Temp

84°F

Tidal waters

Tide

incoming

Seas

3 ft

Nearest buoy wave height

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:51 AM

Sunset

8:30 PM

Moon · 4%

new

Today's Tides

Time	Type	Height
12:38 AM	High	1.7 ft
7:19 AM	Low	0.5 ft
12:33 PM	High	1.4 ft
7:02 PM	Low	0.1 ft

Species at Flag Ponds Nature Park

4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.

#1 Spotted Seatrout Workable day for Spotted Seatrout. In season 63/100

What's helping

84°F water — inside spotted seatrout's active range
incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.

Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 81 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Min size: 14"
Daily creel: 4

Chesapeake Bay: 14-inch minimum, 4 per day. Thermal-stress winter die-offs can trigger emergency closures; check MDDNR before mid-winter trips.

Source: Maryland tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

#2 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 27/100

What's helping

incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

84°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."

Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 81 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Min size: 19"
Max size: 24"
Daily creel: 1

Chesapeake Bay recreational regulations (2026). January 1–April 30 and December 6–31 are catch-and-release only (no harvest) — the April C&R period was restored in 2026 for the first time since 2019. August 1–31 is closed to all targeting to protect fish from thermal stress. Spawning rivers (Choptank, Chester, Manokin, Nanticoke, Patuxent, Transquaking, Wicomico) and the Upper Bay spawning area / Susquehanna Flats are closed to targeting March 1–May 31. Circle hooks required when fishing with bait. Potomac River main stem is managed separately by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. Atlantic coast regulations (28–31 in slot, year-round) differ.

Source: Maryland tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

#2 Bluefish Skip the Bluefish trip today. In season 27/100

What's helping

incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

84°F water — above bluefish's active range (60–80°f) — fish move deep
NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Pomatomus saltatrix — 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.

Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 81 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Min size: 8"
Daily 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: Maryland tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

#4 White Perch Skip the White Perch trip today. In season 11/100

What's helping

9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

84°F water — above white perch's active range (50–78°f) — fish move deep
incoming tide — white perch prefers outgoing tide
NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Morone americana — Smaller cousin of the striped bass and arguably the Bay's most popular panfish. Schools heavily in tidal rivers and creeks; hits bottom rigs with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small jigs. Spring spawning run into the freshwater ends of tributaries is the marquee fishery.

Prefers. Water 50–78°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 3–25 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 81 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Daily creel: 0

No minimum size when caught with hook and line; 8-inch minimum for other legal gear. No daily creel limit. Open year-round in Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries.

Source: Maryland tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

Location Info

Water Body

Chesapeake Bay

Access

Shoreline access

Jurisdiction

Maryland tidal

Coordinates

38.4508, -76.4637

Notes

Day-use fee. No fishing pier — shoreline/beach only. Calvert Cliffs geology makes for an unusual fishing setting. Closed in winter.

What anglers are reporting

From the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report, published May 27, 2026 · 46 days old — a newer report may be available.

Lower Bay

Deeper waters along channel edges are being targeted by anglers jigging with soft plastic jigs or by trolling with umbrella rigs down along the 30-foot edges. It is a good idea to place a few Drone spoons behind inline weights for the bluefish that are in the region. The steep channel edge of the Potomac from St. Georges Island to Piney Point, the lower Patuxent and the eastern side of the bay from Buoy 76 to Buoy 72 are worth exploring. Red and black drum are being found on the eastern side of the Bay from the Middle Grounds up past the Target Ship and Tangier Sound. Finding them on depth finders and dropping soft crab baits to them is the most popular way to fish.

Species mentioned: black drum, bluefish

Excerpts are anecdotal and reflect a single week's observations from DNR biologists and reporting anglers — not predictions. Use as one signal among many; verify against current conditions before planning a trip.

Local reports & rules for Flag Ponds Nature Park: Maryland DNR fishing report → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →

Nearby Access Points

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

6.4 mi

Calvert Co., MD · Multi · Patuxent

Greenwell State Park

6.4 mi

St. Mary's Co., MD · Multi · Patuxent

Snow Hill Farm Park

7.8 mi

St. Mary's Co., MD · Multi · Patuxent

Myrtle Point Park

8.5 mi

St. Mary's Co., MD · Multi · Patuxent

Frequently Asked

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Flag Ponds Nature Park you need a Maryland Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport License issued by MD DNR. Anglers may instead qualify for the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration in some circumstances (e.g., guest on a boat carrying a Bay & Coastal Sport Boat Decal, or holder of a Virginia saltwater license). See the agency's current rules: https://dnr.maryland.gov/pages/service_fishing_license.aspx

What fish are commonly targeted at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

Flag Ponds Nature Park is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: White Perch, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Spotted Seatrout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Flag Ponds Nature Park against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Flag Ponds Nature Park have?

Flag Ponds Nature Park has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Day-use fee. No fishing pier — shoreline/beach only. Calvert Cliffs geology makes for an unusual fishing setting. Closed in winter.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tidal regulations apply at Flag Ponds Nature Park. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Flag Ponds Nature Park tidal water?

Yes. Flag Ponds Nature Park sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.

Is there parking or an entry fee at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

Day-use fee. No fishing pier — shoreline/beach only. Calvert Cliffs geology makes for an unusual fishing setting. Closed in winter.