# Chesapeake Bay fisheries management > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chesapeake-bay-fisheries-management > Updated: 2026-08-07T09:48:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. In late July, anglers in Southern Maryland reported abundant spot fish and active bluefish throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, while other species such as croaker and white perch were less prevalent. The report also noted large schools of bluefish near the Middle Grounds and a surge of oversized bull redfish caught by pound netters. A week later, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources announced a seasonal closure of the striped bass fishery for August. The ban, part of a management plan aimed at protecting younger striped bass from heat‑related stress and low‑oxygen conditions, seeks to reduce post‑release mortality, which accounts for a significant share of striped bass deaths. Anglers are encouraged to target other species, including invasive blue catfish, while the spring catch‑and‑release season for striped bass resumes. Together, the snapshots illustrate a dynamic fisheries environment in the Chesapeake Bay: abundant populations of certain species coexist with targeted regulatory actions to safeguard vulnerable stocks during the hottest period of the year. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Maryland shuts August striped bass fishing in Chesapeake Bay Maryland closes Chesapeake Bay striped bass fishing for August 2024 to protect young fish from heat stress, encouraging anglers to target other species and reinstating spring catch‑and‑release. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maryland-shuts-august-striped-bass-fishing-in-chesapeake-bay ### 2026-07-27: Southern Maryland anglers see abundant spot and bluefish in Chesapeake Bay Southern Maryland anglers find spot fish everywhere in the Potomac, Patuxent and Chesapeake Bay, while croaker are scarce; bluefish, cobia, bull redfish and alewife remain active, with white perch biting only d 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-maryland-anglers-see-abundant-spot-and-bluefish-in-chesapeake-bay --- Cite as: Chesapeake Bay fisheries management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chesapeake-bay-fisheries-management