Chesapeake Bay Kayaking: Eastern Shore Rivers

This article includes information on rivers and creeks on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Relatively large rivers of the Eastern Shore include the Northeast, Bohemia, Elk, Sassafras, Chester, Wye, Miles, Tred Avon, Choptank, Little Choptank, Blackwater, Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke.

In addition to major rivers, there are hundreds of smaller tributaries, creeks, and streams.

The Elk River has a variety of special conditions that paddlers may find interesting. Below Elkton, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal connects to the river. A variety of public access sites are located up and down the river.

The Chester River flows through Chestertown before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay near Kent Island. The town's annual Downrigging Weekend Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival attracts large numbers of historic vessel enthusiasts.

The Choptank River flows through several historic towns and small communities. Near its mouth, Cambridge includes an array of areas where paddlers can launch and explore the river.

At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, three paddling trails meander through more than 20 miles of salt marshes. The Blackwater River complex is one of the most popular areas in the Chesapeake Bay for catching northern snakehead.

One of the largest rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Nanticoke River is known for its wildlife. Along its banks are Seaford, Blades, Woodland, Vienna, Tyaskin, Bivalve, Nanticoke, Elliot's Island, and other communities.

Public access sites are found throughout the Nanticoke. Along the river are several notable parks including Seaford, Phillips Landing Recreation Area, Cherry Park (Sharptown), and Vienna Waterfront Park. Additional areas for launching kayaks and other paddlecraft exist at Woodland, Elliot's Island, Tyaskin, and Nanticoke.

Along the Wicomico River is mix of urban properties, industrial sites, waterfront neighborhoods, marinas, and other human activity. Public access can be found in Salisbury, Mount Vernon, and Dames Quarter.

The Pocomoke River is known for its extensive cypress swamp habitats. Kayakers can explore the Pocomoke River by launching at Porter's Crossing, Snow Hill, Pocomoke River State Park, Pocomoke City, and Shelltown.

Related Information

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Paddling Trails

Best Kayaking Areas in Maryland

Kayaking in Mid Atlantic Rivers and Creeks

Tidal rivers and creeks contain some of the most beautiful kayaking areas in the Mid Atlantic region. Habitats in these waterways are determined by salinity and tidal flow. Depending on location, the transition from salt to fresh water may span hundreds of miles or occur in a very short distance.

In the lower sections of these rivers, marsh grasses, crabs, oysters, saltwater fish and other marine life is usually present. Birds are abundant in salt marsh areas, with bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, herons, egrets, plovers, and rails being a few of the most commonly seen species. Salinity can fluctuate considerably, depending on rainfall, tidal flows, and other factors.

Moving up river, salt marsh grasses give way to pickerelweed and trees begin to appear along the banks. Saltwater fish species disappear and brackish species such as channel catfish, white perch, yellow perch, and gar become common.

Further up tidal areas, rivers and creek habitats change considerably. Lily pads and cypress trees begin appearing in greater numbers. A wide range of wildlife is abundant. Species of fish that live in these areas include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, northern snakehead, sunfish, crappie, catfish, shiners, white perch, yellow perch, and other species. In some remote waterways, beavers and river otters are present.

The final zone occurs above the tidal line. Here water levels occasionally rise and fall due to extreme high tides, but the apparent flow is always downstream. This type of habitat is famous for American shad, hickory shad and river herring spawning runs, which occur for 2-3 weeks in the spring. At this stage, water visibility varies widely, depending on a range of factors. A variety of freshwater fish species are found in these smaller creeks and streams.

Related Information

Eastern Shore Rivers

Kayak Fishing for Sunfish: Spring Techniques

bluegill sunfish (bream)

During spring, Mid Atlantic kayak anglers enjoy excellent fishing for members of the sunfish (bream) family. Sunfish species include bluegill, redear, pumpkinseed, green, and others. These colorful fish are sometimes found among other members of the sunfish family such as crappie, fliers, rock bass, and warmouth.

Most sunfish feed aggressively leading up to the spawning season. This is a good time to practice early season fishing for sunfish. Prior to the spawning season, sunfish species migrate into spring habitats and begin feeding right away. Most will attack small jigs, soft plastics, or other lures that imitate food sources. Natural baits also work well for sunfish, especially nightcrawlers, insect larvae, tiny minnows, or small crayfish.

During early spring, sunfish are sometimes found in near shore vegetation where they can feed as well as seek shelter. In some cases, kayak fishing is the only possible means of access to these areas.

In slow moving rivers, creeks and farm ponds of the Mid Atlantic, water lilies appear in spring. Sunfish quickly take up residence among the beds. As the spring season progresses, a food chain develops. This aquatic micro-system begins with tiny insects and invertebrates that come to feed on lily pads or algae. These inhabitants attract minnows, sunfish, and other species of fish.

As the season progresses these areas become important feeding areas for crappie, bluegill, and other sunfish species. Most kayak anglers are familiar with these habitats and have a preference for this type of fishing.

Some anglers carry a second rod which is rigged for largemouth bass and chain pickerel. Both species are frequently found in the same structure and are known for their habit of attacking angler's hooked sunfish.