The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, spanning 11,700 miles of shoreline across six states and playing home to some of the world’s largest striped bass (locally known as rockfish for hunting above the the bay's rocky oyster beds). With that in mind, it’s easy to see why getting out on the bay chasing rockfish – especially during the spring trophy run – is an annual event. With the arrival of[...]

Some charter boat operations in the Chesapeake Bay region offer just that: a chance to run a traditional trotline on some of the best crabbing waters in the country. They’ll help you discover places like Crab Alley, the famous Wye River as well as the best spots to crab on the Chester and the Choptank Rivers.* Try your hand at dipping crabs as they come up on a line baited with chicken necks or razor[...]

They’ll help you discover places like Crab Alley, the famous Wye River as well as the best spots to crab on the Chester and the Choptank Rivers.* Try your hand at dipping crabs as they come up on a line baited with chicken necks or razor clams. The action happens fast, so you have to be quick! It’s no wonder a lot of great lacrosse players come from Maryland. Young kids grow up learning how[...]

Autumn affords Marylanders the opportunity to appreciate the ever-changing weather and approaching harvest throughout the state. While farmers are harvesting crops in the fields, sportsmen and sportswomen on the Chesapeake Bay are capitalizing on one of Maryland’s most bountiful seasons. Fall fishing on the Chesapeake Bay provides great opportunity for anglers before the winter months. With warm and favorable conditions, early to mid-September will yield a wide variety of species in the mid-Chesapeake Bay Region[...]

Where To Go The Eastern Shore Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers a variety of choices for everyone in your family, from angler to beach bum. Summer is the perfect time to plan a family trip to the shore, with plenty of lodging and dining options, attractions and activities, not to mention some of the best fishing you can find. For the angler: With wonderful fishing opportunities over hundreds of square miles, this is a hot spot[...]

Fun to catch, these fish travel in schools, moving from salt water to coastal marshes throughout the year—providing anglers an extremely passionate fishery. But don't get them confused with the small stream trout anglers catch in Western Maryland. Key Distinguishing Markings: Spotted sea trout are dusky gray on top fading to silver at the belly. The upper body is marked with numerous dark spots which extend into the dorsal and tail fins. The dorsal and[...]

Striped bass, locally known as rockfish, are a prized catch in Kent County. These iconic fish migrate along the Atlantic coast, entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to spawn. The spring and fall seasons are particularly popular for targeting striped bass in Kent County waters. The 2024 spring season begins on June 1. Anglers often find success fishing for striped bass in the early morning or late evening, when the fish are most active[...]

Freshwater With water temps ranging between 68-75 degrees, fishing across the state is at its peak. Anglers have reported prime spawning conditions when targeting bass, snakeheads are still being spotted guarding fry balls, and fishermen and women are consistently catching brown and brook trout on dry flies in the streams and creeks. Prime locations include Loch Raven Reservoir and Deep Creek Lake. Located just north of Baltimore, Loch Raven is ideal for any angler. This[...]

Why A Maryland Catfish Trail? In our waters, the Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, as well as the Northern Snakehead, pose a significant threat particularly in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Of specific concern, these fish play a role in disrupting the ecological balance by consuming copious amounts for Maryland crabs, white perch and rockfish. Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has highlighted this pressing issue, underscoring the need for collective action. Explore Maryland's Catfish Trail To[...]