Chesapeake Bay sees rare uptick in tarpon sightings

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says that sightings of tarpon, a fish usually associated with warmer southern waters, are on the rise in the state.

DNR officials say that it has been spotted several times in Maryland in the past two years. Some of these sightings have been confirmed by anglers who have caught the fish.

One such sighting happened on August 1, 2024, when Capt. Tom Weaver was boating near Hoopers Island Lighthouse. He saw a large fish move through the water, and when he got closer, he saw huge shapes under the water. The fish looked like a tarpon, and Weaver was quick to get away from the area.

He later caught a glimpse of the fish swimming away, and he says that it was at least 6 feet long. The fish was lurching motionless under the surface of the water, and Weaver was unable to get a bite on it. However, he was able to get a glimpse of the fish, and he says that it is a rare sight in Maryland.

Tarpon are known to fight the line aggressively, and they can leap out of the water, thrashing their bodies in the air. Because of this, it is important for anglers to be aware of their surroundings and to be cautious when fishing in these waters. If you are successful in catching a tarpon, it is best to release it back into the water to allow it to continue to grow healthy.

Erik Zlokovitz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ recreational fisheries outreach coordinator, said the department is getting more reports of tarpon in Maryland this summer.

“We have seen tarpon in Maryland’s section of the bay historically, but the number of fish spotted recently is unusual,” Zlokovitz said. “This year is the first time we’ve gotten multiple reports of schools of tarpon, and not just a stray fish.”

The DNR says that it is too early to tell if the recent uptick in tarpon sightings is an anomaly or the start of a trend. However, it is possible that the fish is being drawn farther north by the warming waters in the Chesapeake Bay. Climate change is also affecting Maryland’s biodiversity, and it is possible that the fish is also traveling farther in pursuit of food sources like menhaden and shrimp.

Tarpon are generally considered undesirable for eating, and DNR officials recommend anglers only pursue tarpon for catch-and-release fishing.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels