A Maryland family's bay outing
A lack of master planning and willy-nilly development means only two percent of the Chesapeake Bay's estimated 12,000 miles of coastline is accessible to the public, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program. Until that is improved, shore fishing opportunities are very limited.
Virginia
Virginia Beach offers bay shore fishing.
A seven-city metropolis named Hampton Roads sprawls along the the western side of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Public beaches that allow fishing are sprinkled along the Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Hampton coasts. First Landing State Park---called Seashore State Park on older maps---offers campground amenities.
Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's Eastern Shore is away from city bustle and is known for its gray trout (weakfish), croaker and flounder fishing. In addition to the beach, there is a large fishing pier.
Maryland
A quiet day for bay fishing
This state has a dozen state parks and public access points along the bay. Your best approach is to pick an area of the state you want to visit, such as Annapolis or Baltimore, and then look for nearby fishing spots.
Calvert Cliffs State Park is one of the top spots on the western side of the bay. It's located north of the mouth of the Patuxent River. Fall striped-bass fishing is one of its main attractions.
Janes Island State Park is located near historic Crisfield on the Maryland Eastern Shore. It is one of the most picturesque parks on the bay, and a well-known fishing destination.
Future
One of the fishing piers in southern Maryland
In May 2009, President Obama issued the Chesapeake Executive Order that vowed to "expand public access to waters and open spaces of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries." The Chesapeake Bay Program is working with local jurisdictions to establish "gateways" or areas for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and cycling.
Tags: State Park, Chesapeake Program, Eastern Shore, public access, shore fishing
