Monocacy River — Buckeystown, Frederick County, MD
Chain Pickerel fishing today
Skip the Chain Pickerel trip today.
33/100
Why today scores 33
- 39°F water — Below Chain Pickerel's active range (45–80°F)
- 6 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Monocacy River — Buckeystown
- Water temp
- 39°F
- Air temp
- 80°F
- Wind
- 2 to 6 mph NW
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:22 AM / 7:53 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:50 AM - 1:50 AM · 4:50 AM - 6:50 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:20 PM - 7:20 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Chain Pickerel
Esox niger. Native toothy predator of mill ponds, blackwater rivers, and grassy shorelines — especially common on the Eastern Shore. Hits spinners, spoons, and minnow plugs aggressively. Cold-weather fishery when bass have shut down.
Preferred water temp: 45–80°F (ideal 60°F). Preferred tide: either.
MD regulations
- Minimum size
- 14"
- Daily creel limit
- 5
Non-tidal MD: 14-inch minimum, 5 per day. Open year-round.
Source: NTMD regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.