Lots of Options Up for Grabs

With a population of over 6.4 million people, the state has an array of cultural heritage. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the state after English. Other occasional languages include French, Arabic and sometimes Hindi dialect as well. The art and culture of Maryland is a mix of South and North American culture as well as by the historical factor of being an English Colony once upon a time. The Music, Art, Literature, and Sports is embedded in the culture of this state and Marylanders have kept their interests alive by indulging in activities that include jazz festivals, jousting on horseback, crabbing & hunting, Baltimore’s orchestra & theatres, literary exhibits and a plethora of food festivals and cuisines.

Maryland’s traditional food cuisine revolves around seafood which includes steamed crabs, fried oysters, and fish & crab cakes

Maryland Fishing Industry

The earlier civilizations and communities what settled in the state survived and earned through harvesting fish and shellfish. Thus fishing has been an integral part of the state’s economy for more than 300 years. Maryland is known for its wide variety of fish species that the state locals and relevant authorities are trying to preserve and grow through innovation and technology. Anglers, fishermen, and watermen collaborate with companies while heading towards their favorite spots to experience the best catch of the day.

Maryland is famous for crabs. During lunch hour, vendors on Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, sell almost as many crab cakes as hot dogs and hamburgers’ combined.

Maryland bears more than 100,000 streams, creeks, and rivers. With this abundance of waterways and inlets, it feels justified to say that ‘Maryland’ and ‘seafood’ are synonyms. Anglers and fishermen put their skills to test by fishing with the help of proper gear, also availing Maryland charters and boats, and lodges for this purpose. Maryland licensing is vital for sport and recreational fishing, although license-free fishing spots is also there. Citizens, tourists and locals from the state can get their Maryland licensing done through nearby licensed agents, state parks or online as well. There are around 21 spots where a fishing license is not needed. Recreational fishing in Maryland earns a business of over $1 billion. Maryland licenses revenue also soared as more than 600,000 licensed anglers took part in sport fishing generating revenue of over a billion dollars and providing jobs to the people, thus improving their lifestyle further.

Fishing Types

The Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean produce various species which are wrapped around in great taste and fashion by the restaurants and eateries;

Croaker

Black sea bass and striped bass

Bluefish

Blue catfish

Blue crab

Eastern oyster

Hard clam

Sea scallop

Black and red drum

Northern snakehead

Spanish mackerel

Spiny dogfish

Spotted sea trout

Summer flounder and

White and yellow perch

Types of Catch Available

Freshwater

Rainbow Trout

Cutthroat Trout

Brown Trout

Brook Trout

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

White Bass

Striped Bass

Muskie

Walleye

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Bullhead Catfish

Crappie

Carp

Saltwater

Swordfish

Wahoo

Atlantic Cod

Ocean Perch

Roosterfish

Mahi Mahi

Yellowfin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna

Blue Marlin

Halibut

Mackerel

Sailfish

State Fishing Records

Top 10 Fishing Spots Across

Fishing is a fun activity with family and friends. The following spots are best to drop by whether it’s sport or recreational fishing both.

Assateague Island

This barrier island is located by the Maryland coast. Anglers turn towards this spot to find black and red drum, striped bass, flounder and bluefish. With charter boats, surf chair, and cast, the fisherman put their skills to test and enjoy the catch.

Chop Tank

Chop tank

Running across a length of 114 km, this is a great spot for fishing and crabbing. There are multiple fishing spots here by the Chop tank river, but the easiest access is through the river bridge that is on the way to the beach. Perch, bass, croaker, sea trout and catfish are some of the species found in the area. It is open 24 hours a day all year round, so anglers find it easy to drop by anytime they want.

Youghiogheny River

Youghiogheny River Reservoir

This massive reservoir or Yough River is a 134-mile long tributary and is spread over an expanse of 28 acres by the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Sport fishing is high during the season as anglers bearing Maryland license head over to find a variety of fish like rock bass, brown bullhead, crappie, pike, yellow perch, catfish, etc although walleye and smallmouth bass are the major names of the game here.

Savage River Reservoir

Savage River and Reservoir

Fishermen and anglers keen to find flying fish, find this spot the best of all. Located in West Maryland, Savage river/reservoir flows between 50 – 100cfs and \ has plenty of wild brook and brown trout.

Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay

It is believed that no fishing experience is complete without this spot. Anglers love the saltwater experience here and long for some rowdy drama with species like rockfish, flounder, croaker, and bluefish. Charter fishing boats help seals the deal while being useful for enjoying surfing and lounging around this beautiful bay with family and friends.

Centennial Lake

This man-made 54-acre reservoir is located in Howard County, Maryland. The lake houses largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Sometimes, catfish and tiger muskie have also been caught at the end of the line. This is an outstanding sunfish fishery, and anglers can find quality size bluegill, pumpkinseed, and redear sunfish. Boating permits, licenses are needed to cross the lake, while canoes, rowboats and electric motors are also available for the visitors.

Loch Raven

The reservoir is stocked with largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike and perch fish. Fishermen and anglers can head to this spot all year round. This 2400 acre reservoir is accessible through boats and kayaks. Anglers must have current season permit to go fishing using their own boats/vessel.

Cassleman River

Casselman River

This tributary of the Youghiogheny River is 57 miles long. For anglers who are looking for a get-away for the most sought after fly fish, then this is the spot. The fast running water with a splash of monster trout complements the attraction of the river as this fish swishing along the top water gives one of a kind competition to the enthusiasts.

Deep Creek Lake

This is the largest freshwater lake in Maryland over an expanse of 3800 acres which provides a fishing playground for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, rainbow trout and much more. People around the area visit to spend their vacations at this beautiful spot. Even in the winter season, anglers can pick up their ice-ax and rod to find some yellow perch hiding under the ice sheets.

Piney Reservoir

With a surface area of 120 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet, the piney reservoir provides shelter to some excellent largemouth bass and panfish which includes bluegill, white crappies, yellow perch, pumpkinseeds, rock bass, and brown bullheads. This spot provides anglers with an experience of ice-fishing as well, those who are looking for some action, yellow perch provides that through the ice every winter. Regulators don’t allow boats here while most of the shoreline

Maryland State Fishing Records

Atlantic Division

Species	Weight LBS.	Date	Place Caught
Albacore (longfin)	74 lbs.	7/17/2004	Baltimore Canyon
Atlantic Cod	24 lbs.	5/31/2013	38 Miles S.e. Ocean City Inlet
Atlantic Spadefish	11 lbs. 6.5 oz	9/2/2004	Triple Wrecks
Black Seabass	8lbs.	6/1/1978	Jackspot
Bluefish	23 lbs., 8 oz	10/30/1974	Assateague Island
Cobia	94.6 lbs.	6/30/2016	Little Gull Shoal
Common Dolphinfish	74.5 lbs.	8/16/2019	Poor Man's Canyon
Drum, Black	79 lbs.	9/7/1985	Bass Grounds
Drum, Red	70 lbs.	9/24/1977	Assateague Island
False Albacore	22 lbs., 8 oz	6/25/1995	Third Lump
Flounder, Summer	17 lbs.	10/3/1974	Assateague Island
Flounder, Winter	5 lbs., 2 oz.	6/23/2015	26 miles east of Ocean City
Gray Triggerfish	5 lbs., 2 oz.	10/31/2014	Ocean City
King Mackerel	47 lbs.	10/18/1985	Big Gulf
Kingfish	2 lbs., 8 oz	10/1/1975	Assateague Island
Marlin, Blue	1,062 lbs.	8/7/2009	Baltimore Canyon
Porgy	6 lbs., 3 oz	7/4/1966	Fenwick Shoal
Shark, Black Tip	193 lbs.	8/4/1991	Ocean City
Shark, Blue	280 lbs.	9/13/1997	Ocean City
Shark, Dogfish, Smooth	15 lbs., 5 oz.	5/22/1993	Ocean City
Shark, Dogfish, Spiny	11 lbs., 8 oz.	5/17/1993	Ocean City
Shark, Dusky*	469 lbs.	7/1/1982	Ocean City
Shark, Great White	467 lbs.	6/11/1992	Ocean City
Shark, Hammerhead, Scalloped	266 lbs 8oz	8/8/2012	Washington Canyon
Shark, Hammerhead, Smooth	375 lbs.	6/17/2004	Parking Lot
Shark, Mako	876 lbs.	6/20/2009	Poormans Canyon
Shark, Sand Tiger*	334 lbs	9/8/1983	Ocean City
Shark, Sandbar*	235 lbs	7/8/1983	Ocean City
Shark, Thresher	642 lbs.	6/19/2009	The Fingers
Shark, Tiger	1,210 lbs.	7/9/1983	Ocean City
Sheepshead	18.0 lbs.	9/22/2017	South Jetty, Ocean City Inlet
Snowy Grouper	66 lbs	7/30/2012	Norfolk Canyon
Spotted Seatrout	13 lbs.	8/21/1973	Sinepuxent Bay
Striped Bass	57.2 lbs	5/6/2006	Assateague Island
Swordfish	350 lbs.
Tautog	28.8 lbs	1/2/2015	Ocean City
Tilefish, Blueline	20 lbs	9/12/2012	Norfolk Canyon
Tilefish, Golden	62 lbs.	10/22/2009	Baltimore Canyon
Tuna, Bigeye	375 lbs., 8 oz	8/26/1977	Ocean City
Tuna, Blackfin	32 lbs.	9/20/1998	30 Fathom Line
Tuna, Bluefin	625 lbs.	8/3/1975	45 Miles East Of Ocean City
Tuna, Yellowfin	236.5 lbs.	9/22/2002	Washington Canyon
Wahoo	131 lbs.	6/30/2014	Rockpile
Weakfish	16 lbs.	9/11/1976	Ocean City Inlet
White Hake	16.71 lbs., 11.36 oz.	5/16/2019	Poor Man's Canyon
White Marlin	135 lbs.	8/29/1980	Poor Man's Canyon
White Perch	1.65 lbs.	7/30/2016	Ayers Creek

Cheasapeake Division

Atlantic Spadefish	10 lbs.	39278	Buoy 72
Black Drum	103 lbs., 8 oz	26930	Buoy #16
Bluefish	22lbs.	33366	Chesapeake Beach
Bluefish	22lbs.	31563	Hackett's Point
Bluefish	22 lbs.	29146	Off Queen Anne Marina
Carp	44 lbs., 6 oz	28608	Morgantown Beach
Catfish, Channel	29 lbs., 10 oz	35546	Mattawoman Creek
Catfish, White	9.61 lbs.	43254	Turkey Point near the mouth of the Elk River

Chain Pickerel	6lbs., 8 oz	23881	Susquehanna River
Cobia	97 lbs., 12 oz	25458	Middle Grounds
Crappie	4lbs.	39171	Dundee Creek
Croaker	6.52 lbs.	38964	Point Lookout
Florida pompano	3 lbs., 6 oz	43668	Stone Rock

Flounder, Summer	15 lbs.	28777	Buoy #50
Hickory Shad	4 lbs.	26137	Susquehanna River
Largemouth Bass	11.18 lbs.	39473	Potomac River
Longnose Gar	17.9 lbs	43488	Marshyhope Creek
Norfolk Spot	2 lbs.	28738	Tangier Sound
Red Drum	74 lbs., 6 oz	28260	Tangier Sound
Rock Bass	1 lb	35554	Susquehanna River
Sheepshead	13.73 lbs	42964	South Marsh Island, Holland Straits
Smallmouth Bass	6 lbs.	29059	Susquehanna River
Spanish Mackerel	12.4 lbs.	39361	Middle Grounds
Spotted Seatrout	16 lbs., 6 oz	28260	Roaring Point
Striped Bass	67 lbs., 8 oz	34832	Bloody Point
Tautog	9 lbs.	38654	Point Lookout
Weakfish	16 lbs., 8 oz	28983	Nanticoke River
White (american) Shad*	8 lbs., 2 oz	27517	Wicomico River
White Perch	2 lbs., 10 oz	28993	Dundee Creek
Yellow Perch	2 lbs., 3 oz	29180	Marsh Creek

Non Tidal Division

Bluegill	3 lbs., 7 oz	8/9/1998	Deep Creek Lake
Carp	47 lbs., 8 oz	6/11/1997	Frederick County Farm Pond
Catfish, Bullhead	4 lbs., 15.04 oz.	5/18/2019	Big Gunpowder Falls

Catfish, Channel	27.92 lbs.	7/5/2004	Upper Potomac River
Catfish, White	Min Wt 7 lbs
Chain Pickerel	8 lbs.	1/2/2015	Salisbury
Crappie	4 lbs. 7 ozs	5/30/2004	Farm Pond
Fallfish	2.07 lbs	3/20/2019	Maryland side of the upper Potomac River
Largemouth Bass	11 lbs. 6 oz.	7/31/2013	Huntingtown Farm Pond
Muskellunge	32.5 lbs.	5/6/2017	Upper Potomac River, below Dam #5
Northern Pike	24 lbs., 12 oz	10/16/1999	Deep Creek Lake
Redbreast Sunfish	Min Wt 14 oz
Redear Sunfish	2 lbs., 5 oz	6/4/1985	Gilbert Run
Rock Bass	1 lb., 8 oz	3/22/2010	Thurmont Farm Pond
Smallmouth Bass	8 lbs., 4 oz	10/4/1974	Liberty Reservoir
Striped Bass	47 lbs, 2 oz	9/14/2000	Liberty Reservoir
Tiger Muskellunge	29 lbs, 4.75 oz	2/14/1997	Dam # 5
Trout, Brook	6lbs., 1.75 oz	4/10/1999	North Branch Of The Potomac River Below Randolph Dam
Trout, Brown	18 lbs., 3 oz	8/3/2001	North Branch Of Potomac At Barnum
Trout, Cutthroat	7 lbs. 9 oz	5/20/2000	North Branch Of Potomac At Barnum
Trout, Rainbow	14 lbs., 3 oz	10/21/1987	Savage River Reservoir
Walleye	14 lbs., 4 oz	5/16/1998	Jennings Randolph Reservoir
Warmouth	10.72 oz	6/11/2018	Gilbert Run Lake
White Perch	1.90 lbs	4/7/2017	Loch Raven Reservoir
Yellow Perch	3 lbs., 5 oz	3/12/2006	Harford County Farm Pond

Brown Trout

Appearance

Brown trout vary greatly in appearance, but are generally olive green to brown on top, shading to a creamy, golden yellow on the sides and an off- white along the belly. Most brown trout are covered with black spots along their sides, back, and dorsal fin with each spot surrounded by a light halo. Frequently, the spots near the lateral line are red. Unlike other trout species, brown trout tails have few if any spots.

Habitat

Brown trout occupy a range of aquatic systems and habitats from Coldwater mountain streams to larger rivers, ponds and lakes.

Diet

Brown trout feed on several animal prey species, aquatic invertebrates being the most abundant prey items. However, brown trout also feed on other prey such as land-based invertebrates (e.g. Hymenoptera) or other fish. Moreover, in brown trout, as in many other fish species, a change in the diet composition normally occurs during the life of the fish, and piscivorous behavior is most frequent in large brown trout.

Fishing for Brown Trout

Fishing for brook trout with a Bubble Fly or Bubble Bait rig is a great way to catch brook trout. The Bubble allows for easy casting or float and release to get to the hard bends and deep pools. Using a spinning reel or fly rod the bubble can help get to the fish. For lake fishing the Bubble works great with a nightcrawler and letting the bubble troll the bait for you using water current or wind.

Top 5 Bubble Fly Combos for Brown Trout

Ant, Cricket, Hopper, Adams Parachute, Wullf Royal

Top 5 Bubble Bait Combos for Brown Trout

Nightcrawler, Wax Worms , Corn, Power Bait, Salmon Eggs

Bubble Fly Challenge Games for Brown Trout

Panfish & Trout