NCBO Provides Links to Data and Observations Useful for Fishing
The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office delivers data and observations that you can use to plan a
great fishing experience. The links below point to data and observations that can help you prepare for a day of fishing on the Bay.
For example, what are current water temperatures? More than 300 species of fish seek food
and shelter in the Chesapeake Bay. Many are migratory, seeking water temperatures they
prefer. Rockfish prefer temperatures around 55-68 degrees Fahrenheit.
NOAA's Chesapeake Bay water temperature map
shows the most recent sea surface temperature data
received from NOAA satellites. Visit the
Coastal Prediction Center, then
click on "Interactive Chesapeake Bay Water Temperature
Map." On the map, click on points to see exact
temperatures at precise latitude/longitudes. The Coastal
Prediction Center features additional graphical and data
products related to the Chesapeake Bay.
Check out these additional online NOAA resources:
Chesapeake Bay sea surface temperature, Thursday, April 17, at the Interactive Chesapeake Bay Water Temperature Map.
2008: A Typical Year for Bay Water Temperature?
For April 2008, temperatures are running just slightly on the warm side. This graph of water temperatures at Thomas Point (off Annapolis, Maryland) shows the daily minimum (blue), average (green), and maximum (red) temperature from 2985 through 2007. The black line shows the daily temperature for each day in April 2008 -- as of Friday April 18, temperature were running about 2 degrees above average.