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Maryland · Fishing
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.
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View on mapFishing · 108 spots
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.
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.
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.
Fort Washington Park Day Use Facilities
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion
~1h 16m drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Lerch Creek Marsh
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Sandy Point State Park
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Patuxent River - Brighton Dam Access
~1h 3m drive
Easy
Liberty Reservoir - Liberty Road Access
~1h 20m drive
Moderate
North Fork Muddy Creek Marsh
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Meadowood Visitor Contact Station
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Patuxent River - Triadelphia Reservoir
~1h 3m drive
Easy
Allen Pond
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Loch Raven Reservoir - Dulaney Valley Access
~1h 19m drive
Easy
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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.
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.
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.