Maryland · Fishing
Fishing in Maryland
Maryland packs a surprising range of fishing into a small state. In the west, Garrett County streams like Trout Run near Swanton sit at 2,600 feet and hold native brook trout in tight, heavily wooded water that rewards careful wading and accurate casting.
108 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 108 spots
Featured spots
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Gunpowder Falls - Blue Mount Road Access
Sparks Glencoe, MD
brown trout, rainbow trout
Surf fishing
Assateague Island National Seashore Campground
MD
River fishing
Fort Washington Park Day Use Facilities
MD
River fishing
Owens Creek Campground
MD
Saltwater fishing
Sandy Point State Park
MD
All spots · 108
Lake fishing
Allen Pond
Bowie, MD
Lake fishing
Anderson Mill Pond
Salisbury, MD
Lake fishing
Assawoman Bay
Bishopville, MD
Lake fishing
Barren Pond
Mardela Springs, MD
Lake fishing
Big Fairlee Pond
Chestertown, MD
Lake fishing
Bradshaw Pit
Joppatowne, MD
riverFly fishing
Casselman River - Accident Access
Accident, MD
rainbow trout, brown trout
riverFly fishing
Casselman River - Grantsville Access
Grantsville, MD
brown trout, rainbow trout
Lake fishing
Cattail Pond
Fort Meade, MD
Lake fishing
Chapel Cove
Taylors Island, MD
Lake fishing
Chesapeake City East Disposal Area
Chesapeake City, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Snow Hill, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Snow Hill, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Duers Neck Landing, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Snow Hill, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Newark, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Snow Hill, MD
Lake fishing
Chincoteague Bay
Snow Hill, MD
Lake fishing
Clay Lake
Vienna, MD
Lake fishing
Coxes Bay
Stevensville, MD
Lake fishing
Coxes Bay
Chester, MD
Lake fishing
Eastern Bay
Grasonville, MD
Lake fishing
Eastern Bay
Stevensville, MD
Lake fishing
Fishing Bay
Dames Quarter, MD
Maryland packs a surprising range of fishing into a small state. In the west, Garrett County streams like Trout Run near Swanton sit at 2,600 feet and hold native brook trout in tight, heavily wooded water that rewards careful wading and accurate casting. Drop down to the Casselman River near Grantsville at 2,400 feet and you have a more forgiving stretch with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout that beginners can wade without too much trouble. Shift east and the character of fishing changes entirely. The Susquehanna River at the Havre de Grace access, barely 10 feet above sea level, produces smallmouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and yellow perch where a big tidal river meets the top of the Chesapeake Bay. The Eastern Shore opens up a sprawling network of tidal water — Tangier Sound, Chincoteague Bay, Fishing Bay, and dozens of smaller creeks and ponds — where largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and perch are the main targets. Prettyboy Reservoir's Gunpowder Falls Arm near Parkton rounds out the freshwater options with largemouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel at 530 feet. With 108 active listings across the state, Maryland fishing is less about one marquee destination and more about matching the right water type to what you want to catch.
Frequently asked questions
What fishing license do I need to fish in Maryland?
Most anglers 16 and older need a Maryland Sport Fishing License, available through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. If you plan to fish for trout in designated trout waters like Trout Run in Garrett County or the Casselman River near Grantsville, you also need a separate Trout Stamp. Check the DNR site for current fees and any Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing License requirements if you're targeting striped bass or other tidal species.
When is the best time of year to fish Maryland's mountain streams in Garrett County?
Spring and early summer are the most productive windows for brook trout on Trout Run and brown and rainbow trout on the Casselman River, before water temperatures climb in July and August. Fall brings a second good stretch as water cools and fish feed actively ahead of winter. Both streams are at elevation — 2,600 feet and 2,400 feet respectively — so expect cold mornings even in May and plan wading layers accordingly.
What species can I realistically target at the Susquehanna River's Havre de Grace access?
The Havre de Grace access is a tidal section of the Susquehanna, so your realistic targets are smallmouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and yellow perch. Striped bass fishing here is subject to Maryland's seasonal regulations and size limits, which change year to year, so confirm current rules with the DNR before your trip. Spring perch runs and fall striper fishing tend to draw the most attention from regulars.
Is the Eastern Shore worth fishing if I don't have a boat?
Some Eastern Shore spots are accessible from shore or by kayak, but many of the tidal areas — Tangier Sound, Chincoteague Bay, Fishing Bay, and the smaller creek systems near Princess Anne and Dames Quarter — fish significantly better with a small boat or kayak. Ponds like Purnell Pond near Snow Hill and Richardson's Pond near Long Beach are more practical for bank anglers. If you're limited to shore access, focus on the pond and reservoir listings rather than the open tidal water.
What skill level do I need for fly fishing the Garrett County streams?
Trout Run near Swanton is rated hard — the creek is small, the canopy is tight, and accurate short-range casting matters more than distance. The Casselman River near Grantsville is rated easy by comparison, with more open water and room to work a standard drift. If you're newer to fly fishing, the Casselman is the better starting point; save Trout Run for when you're comfortable with roll casts and reach casts in confined spaces.
