Western Maryland
Deep Creek Lake – Maryland’s largest body of fresh water. Well-stocked with trout, walleye and bass. Boat launch facility. Ice fishing in winter.
Western Maryland Rivers – Six miles of fly-fishing between Hoyes Run and Gap Falls. Nationally acclaimed, year-round trophy site for brook, brown and rainbow trout (Savage ). Among the top bass-fishing areas in America (Potomac).
Capital Region
Big Hunting Creek – Part of Cunningham Falls State Park. Famous among fly-fishers for catch-and-release brook, brown and rainbow trout. Nearby Spruce Creek, also popular for its trout fishing, is nicknamed the “Stream of Presidents” since many U.S. Heads of State have cast a fly here when visiting Camp David.
Central Maryland
Little Patuxent River – Exceptional reputation for trout fishing. Flows past Historic Savage Mill.
Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs – Quiet and easily accessible from Baltimore. Kayak fishing (register for annual license). Catch-and-release trout fishing within Gunpowder Falls State Park (Hereford Area) is rated among best in the mid-Atlantic.
Canton Waterfront Park – On the outer edge of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, which Field & Stream ranked among the top 20 fishing cities in America. Scenic kayak fishing. Boat ramp.
Southern Maryland
St. Mary’s River State Park – Legendary bass fishing at a 250-acre lake.
Point Lookout State Park – Striped-bass trolling in early winter. Boat rentals, launch facility and fish-cleaning station.
Eastern Shore
Unicorn Lake
– Largemouth bass and bluegill fishery. A 43-acre tributary to the Chester River. Dam tailrace provides spring fishing for perch and herring.
Choptank River Fishing Pier – Variety of catches includes perch, striped bass, sea trout and catfish. Lighted for night fishing. Adjoins Sailwinds Park in Cambridge. Municipal marina nearby.
Adventure Extra
The host of many Potomac River fishing tournaments, Southern Maryland’s Smallwood State Park lets you cast from the shore or take advantage of boat slips and stationary piers at the park’s Sweden Point Marina. Nearby Mallows Bay incorporates a vast “ghost fleet” of sunken vessels and is reachable only by shallow draft watercraft. From there, pick up the trail of “Diamond Jim” – the legendary rockfish with a diamond-studded tag affixed to its jaw – in the Chesapeake Beach area.
Charter Boats Knowledgeable captains are ready to steer you toward fishing hot spots. Choose from a sailboat, powerboat, catamaran, schooner or skipjack. Extend your visit with a lighthouse trip, history tour, ecological exploration or champagne sunset cruise. Learn more at the
Maryland Charter Boat Association Web site.
