This is the Official Maryland Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Maryland state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Maryland Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Maryland state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Maryland fishing reg. books below and accessing the Maryland fishing regs link in the Maryland Guidebooks listed below.
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Weather its Maryland Trout fishing, Maryland bass fishing, Maryland striper fishing, Maryland Salmon fishing, Maryland Catfish fishing, Maryland steelhead fishing, Maryland Panfish fishing, Maryland pike/muskie fishing, Maryland Walleye fishing,  Maryland Marlin Fishing, Maryland Salt Water Fishing, Maryland Tuna fishing, Maryland Tarpon fishing, Maryland Snook fishing, Maryland Red fish fishing We have the Maryland state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Maryland fishing maps, Maryland state fishing maps, or just some Maryland fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Maryland Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Maryland, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir, St. Mary's Lake, Triadelphia Reservoir, Youghiogheny River Lake and others. Many of the lakes in Maryland have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Maryland is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Trout fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Walleye, Catfish, Stripers, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel and sunfish including Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Maryland by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in Maryland.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Maryland area.

Bass Fishing Lakes in Maryland

You are sure to find bass in all types of water across the state of Maryland. Private and public ponds, rivers, small lakes, state park lagoons may contain bass. However, the most consistent stringers of bass continue to come from major lakes like Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir, St. Mary's Lake, Triadelphia Reservoir and Youghiogheny River Lake.

The Maryland state smallmouth bass was caught from a private pond and the state record smallmouth came from Liberty Reservoir.

Trout Fishing in Maryland

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Maryland Trout Fishing Rivers & Lakes

The Potomac River has nice populations of brook, brown and cutthroat trout and holds the state record for all three. Savage River Reservoir served up the Maryland state record for rainbow trout. Other major reservoirs with healthy populations of trout include Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Triadelphia Reservoir and Youghiogheny River Lake.

Maryland stocks ponds, rivers and lakes with trout. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Fisheries Service website for details and schedules on trout stocking in Maryland.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki

Cutthroat trout flourish in cold mountain streams that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean. It too can be taken on flies as well as other baits and lures. It primarily feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms.

Cutthroat trout fishing is an angler favorite on big, fast-moving waters. Fly fishing is the preferred method but they can be caught on any number of minnow or grub imitating lures as well as an assortment of live bait offerings.

Walleye Fishing in Maryland

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Maryland

There are at least five major lakes in Maryland with a healthy population of walleye. They include Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir and Triadelphia Reservoir. The Maryland state record walleye was taken from Jennings Randolph Reservoir.

Maryland walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Maryland walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Maryland

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Maryland

For the largest schools of crappie stick to major Maryland lakes like Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir, St. Mary's Lake and Triadelphia Reservoir. You can find crappie in private ponds, rivers, small lakes, state parks and just about anywhere there's water fit for them.

The Maryland state record crappie was caught from a private farm pond.

Catfish Fishing in Maryland

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Lakes For Catfish Fishing In Maryland

The vast majority if fishing waters contain one or more types of catfish. Most rivers and streams as well a s ponds are likely to hold catfish. The major lakes with healthy populations of catfish include Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir and Triadelphia Reservoir. The Maryland state record blue catfish and channel catfish both came from the Potomac River.

Sunfish Fishing in Maryland for Bluegills, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch and Other MD Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Maryland and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Maryland

Panfish are everywhere. They are a major part of food source for larger, predator fish. They also make a pretty tasty fish fry. Larger individual fish tend to come from private ponds while the larger schools of common-size fish tend to be found in larger impoundments like Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir, St. Mary's Lake, Triadelphia Reservoir and Youghiogheny River Lake.

The state record bluegill was caught from Deep Creek Lake. The state record white perch was caught from Loch Raven Reservoir while its yellow counterpart was caught from a private pond. Gilbert Run yielded the state record redear sunfish. So if you live near virtually any fishing waters, you probably have panfish for neighbors.

Striper Fishing in Maryland

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striper Fishing Lakes In Maryland

Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Triadelphia Reservoir and Liberty Reservoir and are the three major lakes in Maryland with a healthy population of striped bass. Liberty Reservoir holds the current Maryland state record for stripers.

 

Fishing for Tiger Musky, Northern Pike & Chain Pickerel in Maryland.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others.

Maryland Fishing Regulations Info Page     Maryland Fishing Regulations Guidebook