With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline to explore, Maryland really is an angler’s paradise. Discovering Maryland’s distinctive natural resources is now easier than ever. We invite you to get your feet wet and try Maryland fishing at its best. Now, you can sample some of our favorite fishing spots by borrowing high-quality rods and reels from some of Maryland’s most popular state parks or at select local libraries. The Tackle Loaner Program is an[...]

Catfish in Maryland While some other states may be able to boast a larger specimen here and there, few can compare with Maryland for the diversity of the water ways you'll fin 'em in. And there's more good news on keeping them for dinner. In many areas the vast majority of eating sized catfish are going to be invasive species. No one is happy to have invasive, so you can feel guilt-free about harvesting blues[...]

As the first in the Nation, Maryland’s Fly Fishing Trail provides everyone with opportunities to experience fly fishing across the state. With two Trail sites located in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City, there are no shortage of options when it comes to fly fishing. Each Trail site has been selected to provide a unique fly fishing experience. You’ll find as diverse a range of species—from native brook trout in small Western Maryland[...]

A Tradition Almost Four Hundred Years in the Making In 1666, an Englishman named George Alsop wrote about his experience in Maryland. The waterfowl were so abundant, he wrote, “there was such an incessant clattering made with their wings on the water where they rose, and such a noise of those flying higher up that it was as if we were all the time surrounded by a whirlwind.” Now, nearly four centuries later, sportsmen and[...]

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’s plentiful white-tailed deer populations offer hunters great opportunities to bag one of our state’s trophy bucks. We also have the unique opportunity to hunt the exotic sika deer. These small deer are only found – and can only be hunted in the wild – in their native Japan and right here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Hunting geese and ducks in Maryland is a big deal. In the heart of the Atlantic flyway, Maryland is[...]

If you are looking for a way to follow social distancing guidelines and have some fun in the fresh air, it’s time to try your hand at shad fishing. Seasoned anglers say the time to go shad fishing is when the dogwood trees are in bloom. Hickory shad start showing in the upper bay tributaries by mid-March; the run peaks in late April and goes into early June. The larger and more sought after American[...]

Understanding Snakehead Behavior The northern snakehead (Channa argus) or now referred to as Chesapeake Channa is native to parts of Asia, but has become established in Maryland, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They are voracious predators, capable of disrupting local fish populations due to their diverse diet and aggressive hunting methods. During the spawning season, which typically occurs from late spring to early summer, snakeheads become even more aggressive as they protect their nests[...]

Accessed through Cecil County’s North East Community Park, the North East River provides fly fishers with a great freshwater tidal river fly fishing experience. Given the number of different fish species you can catch at this Trail site—bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, river herring, striped bass, white catfish, white perch, yellow perch, northern snakehead and blue catfish—there is always something on the fly fishing menu for everyone in your group. Given you are fishing[...]