Typically, the state begins “preseason” trout stocking in December or January, stocking rainbow, golden and brown trout and aggressively stocks for spring trout season, in February, March and April. The department also will conduct a smaller fall stocking running from September to October. You can check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website for additional information and you can sign up for their email subscription to receive trout stocking notifications. You will also need a[...]

Alright, let’s set the stage…its cold, and you haven’t fished for several weeks because of the chill. However, the meteorologist is calling for a warm spell that just might be your best excuse this winter to get out on the water. If the recent chill hasn’t put an ice covering on Maryland waters, then you have a pretty good shot at catching some wintertime crappies throughout the state. Here’s a game plan for success and[...]

Sometime in mid-March my pulse quickens. Subtle signs, imperceptible at first, announce the arrival of spring. Daffodils and crocus appear. Even our dormant lawn starts to show signs of life. No longer do I need to pass the time watching countless fishing videos on YouTube or scrolling through tackle websites announcing the latest fly rod built with space age technology. It is time to dust off my fishing tackle and make plans to fish the[...]

Hunting is a wonderful way to get the whole family outside together and to see some naturally beautiful parts of Maryland. Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in Maryland – held twice each year for hunters aged 16 and younger -- offer a great chance for young outdoor enthusiasts to master their skills. The most recent youth waterfowl hunting day was Saturday, Feb. 8. An added bonus to the February hunt was that many of the ducks[...]

I am very fortunate to have been born into a family of avid outdoorsmen. Although I have few memories of my grandfather (his nickname was “Pop Daddy”), as he died when I was 6 years old, my father told me that he had a reputation for being a knowledgeable, self-taught naturalist and avid hunter and fisherman. Folks used to say, "If Pop Daddy isn’t catching them, there is no reason to go." I have wonderful[...]

As avid hunters, one of the best and most rewarding things we can do is pass the love for our sport on to the next generation. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to get kids interested, as many are naturally interested in wildlife and nature, but some will take to it slower than others. You can start by watching turkeys and deer at close range and show your kids the little things. Just[...]

With the Atlantic Ocean, the country’s largest estuary (the Chesapeake Bay), and countless streams, rivers, inlets, and marshlands, Maryland is a sport fisherman’s paradise. Whether you’re in search of a long fight with a trophy-sized white marlin or a day spent reeling in hefty largemouth bass, Maryland has a bit of everything for every angler. Though the state is home to a wide variety of species, here are Maryland’s five favorite sport fish. 1) Striped[...]

The sights and sounds of fall are in the air and painting the landscape. As hunters scramble for vacation days and scouting trips, Free State anglers can expand their fishing season by concentrating on the many small, yet diverse, meadow streams and free-flowing creeks that snake through Central and Western regions of the state. A variety of species can be caught during the fall months and even into early winter as long as mild conditions[...]

Maryland has always been known for its world-class deep sea fishing, along with trophy rockfish opportunities. However, a fairly recent species has set claim to Maryland's tidal streams, creeks, rivers, and even some parts of the bay. Northern snakeheads are freshwater fish that resemble native bowfin. Tolerant to low salinity waters, snakeheads have well toothed jaws and palates, and can breathe atmospheric air through the use of a simple labyrinth organ. This invasive species relatively[...]