We have fished in Ch Bay from Virginia Beach to Point Lookout, MD for over 35 years. Each year our catch gets fewer and smaller. 2025 was by far our worst year yet.

No Spanish mackerel caught at all in 2025.

Zero blue fish caught in Virginia Ch Bay waters, only two 19" bluefish caught in MD waters.

One 14" flounder caught, (haven't caught a keepable sized flounder in years!)

We were able to catch a 38" cobia but still below keepable limit.

ZERO striper caught in any waters! Not even seen during hours of trolling.

Only rockfish seen caught was on facebook in upper Potomac and upper MD Ch Bay.

Facts should speak for themselves:

MD canceled their spring rockfish season for 2025.

What happened to Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shoot-out? Why was last one in 2022?

Lynnhaven Marine canceled their striper tournament years ago due to lack of fish.

Why did our local bait shop have to get frozen menhaden from New Jersey instead of from their own backyard?

There is more than one large international business in VA providing jobs from fishing in the Bay. Please also take into consideration all the small businesses and local people in Virginia also making a living from the Bay and how it affects their local communities and economies.

Talk to the charter boat captains who have canceled charters or moved to MD waters. Talk to the small local bait and tackle shops, talk to the marinas selling gas and bait. Talk to the local seafood shops and restaurants. How has their business been affected the past couple years?

I am all for people making a living but when it is clear as day there is an overfishing problem in the VA Ch Bay it should be investigated SERIOUSLY!

Don't just say we will look into it and get back to you in a few years. It's been declining for YEARS now!