Including the Chesapeake Bay’s largest underwater grass bed, extending over thousands of acres, the shallow waters of the Susquehanna Flats is an important habitat for numerous fish species and, therefore, a literal playground for fly fishers in Harford County. Accessing the Susquehanna Flats starts with launching at Millard Tydings Memorial Park in Havre de Grace. Next, you are faced with the decision of which fish species to target out on the water. Choices include largemouth[...]

History In the early 1900’s Clement Henry released 5 or 6 deer on James Island. Maryland biologists and deer managers first worried that the “miniature elk” would expand into the upland territory of native white-tailed deer. This resulted in higher bag limits being set so that hunters would be encouraged to harvest and control the sika deer population. However, over the years, managers have learned that the sika predominantly lives most of its life in[...]

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[...]

It is during this time that the staging and spawning of Maryland’s Yellow and White Perch is in full effect. It is a great activity for all ages and is a great way for anglers with or without a vessel to get in on the action. It is an inexpensive activity that I have enjoyed since childhood and now serves as a break from regular annual maintenance and upgrades to my charter boat The Marylander[...]

Are you whiling away the hours until deer season comes back around? Here are some ideas to put that time to good use until opening day rolls around again. Why not try hunting something different? Spring turkey season can be a blast, literally and figuratively. If you’ve never been, get ready for an action-packed morning in the woods where you can enjoy the sounds of the forest as it awakens, interrupted by some gobblers who[...]

Where the free flowing river meets the tidally influenced river, the Choptank River at Red Bridges Trail site in Caroline County provides for a very unique fly fishing experience. For three seasons of the year, the menu of fish species that can be caught by fly fishers changes. Spring brings yellow perch followed by white perch, hickory shad and river herring. Then in the summer the menu changes to largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, crappie[...]

19th Annual Kent Narrows Fly & Light Tackle Tournament “Enjoy a day on the water while competing for great prizes and bragging rights!” Date: Saturday, June 4, 2022 For this one day catch-release photo contest there are eight different divisions including a kayak, fly tackle, light tackle, and a free youth division! With just three easy steps you can sign up to participate here. While you're at it, sign up for CCA Maryland here to[...]

Hand-sized, pan-sized. Any species that can be legally harvested at a small enough size to fit in the skillet is considered a panfish. For anglers who love lots of action, easy access, and fried fish, panfishing covers all the bases. It's also a great way to introduce kids to fishing, with easy-to-catch species and quick rewards that build confidence and keep them engaged. Sunfish There are over 30 species of sunfish, or “sunnies” in North[...]

My rod hadn’t been in the water for five minutes when the tip bounced a few times then pegged over in a heavy arc as a bulky blue catfish tried to rip it from the rod-holder. As I wrestled the outfit from the holder, line was peeling out at a steady pace. Steady give-and-take pressure ensued and eventually my friend Alvie scooped up the big whisker-fish with his oversized net. As the yard-long beast gyrated[...]