Eastern Bay Dolphins

Type: Chesapeake
Region: Mid Bay
Location: Eastern Bay

My son and I were fishing in Eastern Bay � a beautiful day. Found lots of fish, rock & blues, but all rock were short. As we were fishing, a dolphin or small whale (6 to 8 foot) surfaced � very rounded nose/ took a breath of air / and went down. Only saw him for a few seconds so we were not sure what it was but very surprised to see him in this part of the bay � heard him take a breath 2 more times but not close enough to get a look. We were fishing just north of the first green buoy inside Eastern Bay from Bloody Point. Have other anglers seen or reported the same? How unusual is this?

DNR Response: Hello Steve, bottle nosed dolphins are fairly common in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay this time of the year. At times they can be seen in groups called pods.