Fishing in Maryland

Nestled on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Maryland offers a diverse array of fishing opportunities that are a dream come true for any angler. With its extensive coastline along the Chesapeake Bay, numerous rivers, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean, Maryland is a prime destination for recreational fishing enthusiasts. The best fishing hotspots of Maryland include Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, famous for its rich biodiversity and productive fishing grounds. Chesapeake Bay was once home to one of the largest commercial oyster fisheries in the world, and while the industry has changed over the years, the Bay remains a vital habitat for a variety of marine life, making it a prime destination for recreational anglers today. In the east of the state, the Ocean City provides a harbor to explore waters of the Isle of White and Sinepuxent Bay, or venture further into the Atlantic Ocean after thrilling offshore and deep-sea fishing experiences. Inland, the Potomac River is known for its excellent bass fishing, and Deep Creek Lake offers a serene freshwater fishing experience amidst the Appalachian Mountains. Fishing licenses are necessary, as well as special stamps for species like trout, with certain exceptions. For instance, children under 16 years of age can fish without a license, and the first two Saturdays in June as well as the 4th of July are free fishing days. Passengers on licensed fishing charter boats don’t need a fishing license, but may have to complete a registration, and clients of registered fishing guides don’t need a license for saltwater fishing. Otherwise, fishing licenses are necessary, as well as trout stamps for anyone who is after this prized fish. Make sure you are aware of and comply with all relevant fishing regulations. With its rich fish fauna, diverse fishing types, and effective techniques, Maryland promises unforgettable fishing adventures for both novice and seasoned anglers. There are numerous fishing charters, particularly in Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City, that are ready to take you out fishing (visitors from other parts of the world please don’t forget about tipping the crew!)

Maryland caters to a wide range of fishing preferences, offering various types of fishing types. Inshore and nearshore fishing are perfect for targeting species like striped bass, bluefish, and flounder in the Chesapeake Bay and coastal bays. Explore wrecks of sunken ships and reefs off the coast for sea bass and tautog. Offshore, the Atlantic Ocean provides opportunities to catch tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi. Maryland’s numerous lakes offer largemouth bass, crappie, and trout, while the Potomac River is famous for smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing.

Maryland's waters are teeming with a variety of fish species that attract anglers from near and far. One of the key species for recreational anglers is the striped bass, also known as rockfish. This is the state fish and a prized catch in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Next to the striped bass, Atlantic coastal waters are home for bluefish, known for their aggressive fight, and flounder, one of the most popular inshore species, as well as rays, Spanish mackerel, cobia and red drum. An offshore favorite, particularly during summer months, is tuna; other big pelagics up to and including the marlin, have also been known to take an angler’s lure off the Maryland’s shores. Largemouth bass is abundant in the Potomac River and freshwater lakes, and trophy-sized trout is found in the cold-water streams of western Maryland. Not to be ignored are also species like crappie, a favorite among panfish enthusiasts in lakes and reservoirs.

Trolling is effective for striped bass and bluefish in the Chesapeake Bay as well as tuna offshore, while bottom fishing is ideal for flounder and sea bass in coastal and offshore waters. While heavy tackle , deep sea fishing enthusiasts pursue big game species like tuna and marlin off the Atlantic coast, light tackle fishing is all in all more common in Maryland, with jigging effective for bass and crappie in freshwater and for bottom species in the ocean, while anglers in the Chesapeake Bay often use the techniques of drift fishing. Fly fishing is the way to go in western Maryland's trout streams, and ice fishing is available on Deep Creek Lake during the winter months. Some operators offer bowfishing trips after rays, skates, and flounder on the flats, as well as carp in the rivers.