Are you interested in fishing in Maryland, but don’t know where to begin? This guide will prepare you to tackle the water with confidence.
10,460 square miles of varied terrain and diverse habitat has earned Maryland the moniker America in miniature.
Quality habitat applies to the water here as well. There is no shortage of fishing opportunities in Maryland.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about fishing in Maryland, including the best freshwater and saltwater locations in the entire state. Rules and regulations are also covered, to ensure you have the knowledge to be a legal and ethical angler. Read on to take your fishing knowledge in Maryland to the next level, and hook your next big catch!
Fishing Licenses in Maryland
In most cases, enjoying the best fishing in Maryland requires a Maryland fishing license. Anglers under age 16 are not required to possess a fishing license, but still need a recreational crab license if they want to harvest a bushel of crabs.
You don’t need a license if:
- You have a valid commercial fishing license
- You’re on a licensed charter vessel
- You’re on a commercial fishing pier
- You have a Potomac River Fisheries Fishing License
Online registration is required if:
- You have a Virginia Saltwater license
- You’re on a boat with a Pleasure Boat Decal
- You’re a waterfront property owner
You can obtain your fishing license online. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the most up to date fishing rules and regulations.
Free Fishing in Maryland
Free Fishing Areas
There are plenty of free fishing areas right near Baltimore. Check the requirements above as far as registration. While a license isn’t required, you’ll still need registration.
Some great free fishing areas are:
- Back River
- Hull Street Recreational Pier
- Middle Branch Park
- Canton Recreational Pier
Free Fishing Days
In addition to free fishing areas, there are several days that fishing in Maryland is allowed without a license. These days may vary year to year, so check the Maryland DNR website for an up to date list of options for fishing in Maryland without a fishing license.
Best Freshwater Fishing in Maryland
In Maryland, you can fish streams, creeks, and rivers. You can also enjoy the ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.
Below is a list of good places to start fishing. The Maryland DNR has an excellent map of public access fishing spots that covers the entire state. If you are looking for Maryland fishing near you, this is an outstanding resource.
Big Hunting Creek
Located in the western region of the state is Big Hunting Creek. This creek is a contender for some of the best trout fishing in Maryland, so fly fishing anglers will want to make sure to visit this creek.
You can find both brook and brown trout at Big Hunting Creek.
Town Creek Delayed Harvest Areas
Also in the western region, Town Creek delayed harvest areas are another place to find good trout fishing. These areas are stocked in spring and fall with rainbow and brown trout. It’s conveniently only a mile from Oldtown. You can find rock bass, redbreast sunfish, rainbow and brown trout, and smallmouth bass.
Centennial Lake
For fishing in central Maryland, check out Centennial Lake. It’s part of the Centennial Branch of the Little Patuxent River.
You can enjoy fishing for panfish, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and rainbow trout.
Gunpowder Falls
You’ll find Gunpowder Falls in the center of the state as well. It’s located in the northern section of Baltimore County. This is a well-known trout fishery.
Transquaking River
Located in the eastern region in Dorchester County, is the Transquaking River. You can find carp, white and yellow perch, crappie, channel catfish, carp, and different types of bass.
St. Mary’s Lake
Located in St. Mary’s County is St. Mary’s Lake. Keep in mind that this is a catch and release location. It’s located in the southern region of Maryland.
You can find plenty of smallmouths and large bass at this beautiful lake. You can also find redear sunfish, crappie, chain pickerel, and bluegill.
Adkins Mill Pond
Located in the southern region, in Wicomico County, is Adkins Mill Pond. Here you can find bullheads, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, bass, black crappie, chubsucker, and more.
Patapsco River
Patapsco River runs from western Maryland through Baltimore. The Inner Harbor is here as well.
The river joins the creeks of Jones, Bea, North Point, Stony, Rock, Main, Back, Bodkin, and Curtis creeks.
Conowingo Dam
You can find the Conowingo Dam and Susquehanna Flats not too far from Baltimore. You can get to them from the city Havre De Grace.
Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and many others can be found here.
Best Saltwater Fishing
Maryland is known for its saltwater fishing. Both inshore and offshore fishing in Maryland is phenomenal.
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake is a diverse fishery, providing ample opportunity for inshore anglers. The Striped Bass, also known as the Rockfish, here are considered trophy-class. The best time for this type of fishing is during the spring.
Other popular species include Red Drum, Spotted Trout, and Flounder.
Offshore Fishing in Maryland
Looking for the fishing trip of a lifetime? Consider fishing offshore in Maryland.
Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi are just a few of the ocean giants lurking in Maryland waters.
Most boats set out from Ocean City.
Best Fly Fishing in Maryland
Whether you’re looking for fly fishing in freshwater or saltwater, Maryland has you covered. You can head on over to the Chesapeake Bay for some excellent fly fishing, or to Savage River.
Savage River
You can find the Savage River State Forest in the northwestern part of the state. Fly fishing in Maryland is excellent here, but a bit harder to get to.
The Savage River Reservoir is about 5 miles before it connects to the Potomac River. You can find plenty of rainbow trout above the reservoir.
The lower section, you can find some rainbow trout as well as some wild browns. You can also find brookies which are protected.
This is considered private property so don’t go behind any of the houses.
Below the reservoir, you can find the Fly Fishing Trophy Trout area. You can only have artificial flies in the Trophy Management area.
You can enjoy year-round fishing here for brookies, browns, and rainbows.
Charter Fishing in Maryland
Whether you’re looking for Ocean City Maryland fishing charters or elsewhere on the eastern shore, there are plenty to choose from. Looking for a fishing charter on the west of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge? Check out Family Fishing Adventures. Below is a list of highly qualified fishing guides in Maryland.
Lowland Outfitters
Damien Cook with Lowland Outfitters helped my wife and I land some nice snakehead this fall. They are so much fun to catch, and they are delicious too.
The Ocean Princess-Ocean City
Maryland fishing is great on the Ocean Princess. You can enjoy very knowledgeable staff while taking a ride on this charter. This is a family-friendly activity for all found in Ocean City, Maryland.
Captain Bill Buntings Angler-Ocean City
This fishing charter you can enjoy deep-sea fishing for flounder, bluefish, tautog, and seabass. No matter what your fishing experience is, you can find a tour that’ll be just what you’re looking for.
Family Fishing Adventures-Annapolis
You’ll get to sail on the Sea Dragon and enjoy one of the trips during the day. It’s kid-friendly, and your children will get to go on a fishing and crabbing adventure. They’ll also get to read a map and hold local sea creatures.
Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing
Looking for a different kind of angling? Consider Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing.
Snakehead Fishing in Maryland
Damien Cook with Lowland Outfitters helped my wife and I land some nice snakehead this fall.
If you want to help the earth by controlling an invasive species that also tastes great, you’ll want to fish for the northern snakehead. Some of the best spots for this aggressive fish are only accessible by kayak or canoe, but you can also catch them from shore.
Snakeheads strike with ferocity, making them one of the more exhilarating species to go after in Maryland. Tactics used to catch largemouth bass can be equally effective on snakeheads. Consider sizing-up your gear to catch this fish.
You can find them in the lower and upper bay of the Susquehanna, creeks in the Potomac, and the Blackwater River system.
Bass Fishing in Maryland
If you’re strictly looking for bass fishing in Maryland, you’ll want to check out Conowingo Lake for your best bet. Also, head over to the Gunpowder/Dundee River Complex.
You’ll find the best fishing for them near the Mariner Park launch ramp near the railroad bridge.
You can also check out Funks Run, which is less than a mile north of Conowingo Dam. Head to Broad Creek for plenty of smallmouth and largemouth bass as well.
Trout Fishing in Maryland
Check out Morgan Run or Gunpowder River for some of the best Trout fishing in Maryland. Morgan Run is less than an hour from Baltimore, and an hour from Washington D.C.
You can find Morgan Run in Carroll County. You can access Morgan Run from Klees Mill Road, London Bridges Road, or Jim Bowers Road.
Some of the best fishing at Gunpowder River can be found below the Prettyboy Reservoir.
You can also head to the Patuxent River for plenty of brown trout. This river stays cool thanks to trees all around. Besides brown trout, you can also find rainbow trout as well.
The Patuxent River is by the Howard and Montgomery Counties. It runs parallel to Route 650.
When Is the Best Time to Fish in Maryland?
While you can fish year-round in Maryland, different times of the year will allow different fish.
For freshwater fishing, make sure to wake up early, because fish are most active near dawn and dusk. In saltwater, water temperature and tides have a bigger influence than time of day.
From October-November you can use surface flies to find stripers, but your best chance for finding them is April-May.
April-June is when you can use dry flies at the upper part of the Savage River. The lower part of the Savage River is easiest to explore during the mid-summer.
April-September you can hit up the Potomac River in the early evening or morning.
Before heading out, always check out the Maryland Fishing Report, since it’s updated regularly.
What to Pack for a Fishing Trip?
While you might think it’s a given what to pack for a fishing trip, it’s important you take a look and make sure everything important is packed.
Wintertime
Depending on the time of year, you’ll want to layer up. You’ll want to have sweatpants and a nice warm jacket for the wintertime.
Throughout the year it’s vital to bring layers as well. Think about a hoodie in the spring and fall that you can pull off if you get too warm.
Make sure that the jacket you bring is insulated, and will protect you from the elements. For the winter, you’ll want to bring gloves and a hat as well.
During the rainy season (spring and summer), you’ll want to bring a waterproof raincoat. Also consider waterproof gloves, hats, pants, and shoes.
Always bring an extra pair of clothes in case you get wet.
Summertime
Summertime is relaxing, but can still heat up fast. If you have UV-protective clothing, make sure to pack them. Bring your raincoat along with you in case it rains. Also, bring a pair of sandals or water shoes.
You can also consider bringing a bandana for sun protection
Year-Round
No matter the time of year, make sure that you have your fishing license and identification with you. Be sure to pack the appropriate bait or fishing lures, and a cooler. You can research ahead of time what tackle works best for your target species.
You’ll want a knife or scissors for rigging, and a filet knife for cleaning fish.
It is also a good idea to pack a first aid kit. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! If you’re out on the water and can’t reach a medical location, it could be a life-saver.
Exploring Fishing in Maryland
Humans have been fishing for over 42,000 years. Now that you’ve explored a complete guide on fishing in Maryland, you’re ready to get out there too!
After an exciting day of fishing, you’ll probably want to find a place to relax. Find a place to pitch your tent, with this article about camping in Maryland.
