Protected by multiple state parks and conservation areas during its journey through Harford County on the way to the Susquehanna River, Deer Creek offers fly fishers three seasons of three very different fly fishing experiences. Spring brings hickory shad swimming all the way up the Chesapeake Bay and the lower Susquehanna River and entering Deer Creek to spawn well upstream. Once you hook into one of these silver sided jumpers, you will need to take[...]

With this exclamation a wonderful memory is shared between parent and child. A memory that will likely last a lifetime and lead to life-long enjoyment of the great outdoors. Bonding moments like these are happening every year at the “put-and-take” streams, ponds and lakes across Maryland. In order for these memories to be created, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources must start a year earlier, raising approximately 500,000 brown and rainbow trout at their four[...]

Growing up in Maryland, Marko didn't start fishing until a few years ago, that's when he discovered his true passion in life. He spends his days chasing after the biggest and baddest catfish around. Questions & Answers What makes Maryland unique? Maryland is unique for the diversity of its landscapes. One side has locations in the seclusion of the countryside forests while the other side has some in the openness of the Chesapeake Bay all[...]

The Maryland Department of Natural Resourceswill begin fall trout stocking in early October, introducing nearly 28,000 brown, golden and rainbow trout into select Maryland creeks, lakes and rivers by the end of the month. “The stocking program is eagerly awaited by many Maryland anglers” Fishing and Boating Services Director Dave Blazer said. “Fall stocking gives anglers a chance to experience excellent trout fishing, while enjoying the great foliage and scenery and autumn weather conditions that[...]

In addition to the reputation for producing really big blue crabs, the tidal waters around Wye Island also host some very productive fish habitats, ideal for fly fishing. Launching from Wye Landing on the Wye East River, you will quickly find yourself at the eastern end of Wye Island adjacent to Skipton Creek. If you circumnavigated the entire island, you would pass by Pickering, Gross and Lloyd creeks, and Shaw Bay on the south side[...]

Trout fishing in the middle of Howard County? Absolutely! Embedded in surrounding county parkland, the Middle and Little Patuxent Rivers will quickly make you forget you are in suburbia as you line up your next fly cast for brown and rainbow trout. Conveniently located off both Routes 29 and 32, the three miles of delayed harvest waters provide fly fishers with more opportunities to catch trout before the rivers’ waters get too warm to support[...]

As you can imagine, when a fish has a name like “northern snakehead,” there are going to be things about them that are good, bad, and ugly… but luckily, they’re also tasty. In Maryland, the love-hate relationship is so strong, there’s even a highly anticipated tournament series for them. About the Northern Snakehead First, the bad and ugly – what is a snakehead? As an invasive species in the Maryland area, the northern snakehead first[...]

I’ll never forget the very first chain pickerel I ever caught. I was fishing during late fall on the Patuxent River and it came as a surprise catch. Long, sleek, with chain-link markings and a mouthful of teeth, I knew what it was even at the age of 15. That was several decades ago. But I had enough of a taste to know that I wanted more of this leaping, slashing “mini-pike” in my angling[...]

Download The App Today! Choose your phone provider: AccessDNR is the official app from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the state's outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you want to visit a state park, hunt or fish, explore waterways by boat or kayak, or simply watch wildlife, the AccessDNR app provides all the information and services you need on the go. Features Include: Maps and directions to Maryland State Parks, trails, Wildlife Management Areas, boat launches[...]