Purchasing a license is more convenient than ever before. Maryland DNR provides the following quick and easy ways for you to obtain your licenses and registrations. The online portal COMPASS will allow you access to hunting and fishing licenses, regulations, and other important information about outdoor recreation in Maryland. Using COMPASS you can: Purchase a license Register as a Saltwater Angler Reprint a license Sign up for a lottery Report a harvest Visit COMPASS now[...]

Our family spent summers on the Eastern Shore. I learned the size of a keeper Blue crab was as big as a Coca cola can. I baited fat minnows on hooks to catch flounder. I sat next to Mallard nests in the springtime, praying the eggs would hatch and the yellow down ducklings would follow me home. Maryland provided a world class education in the outdoors, but I was never exposed to hunting. As an[...]

Book up Non-resident hunters are encouraged to take advantage of Maryland’s abundant public land waterfowl hunting opportunities They may also hunt the open waters of the Offshore Waterfowl Hunting and Special Sea Duck Zones if they are accompanied by a Maryland resident. Alternatively enlisting a guide can really help you make the most of some of the best duck hunting opportunities on the East Coast. Dabbling Ducks Habitat Dabbling ducks or puddle ducks are geared[...]

We decided early in the year that we wanted to try something new and looked to test our luck in Talbot County for some teal during the early September season, so we planned a trip to scout public land late last summer. This would be my first full season with a boat that I purchased from a friend last year so I was excited to explore some new opportunities. The main goal of the scouting[...]

In the Upper Bay area of the Susquehanna Flats and surrounding tidal rivers, largemouth bass begin to stir in March. Yellow perch spawn in early March depending on the weather. The hungry bass eat yellow perch fry since the colorful perch are the first species to hatch in the upper reaches of the bay’s tidal tributaries. White perch hatch in April, then herring, followed by largemouth and striped bass in May. Largemouth bass eat some[...]

Now I could use this article to cite numerous data on how being in the woods lowers your blood pressure, reduces stress, triggers endorphins, improves sleep, and boosts your immune system. But you don’t need data. You need to head out, set up a tent, grab your fishing gear, head out to the closest body of water, and see what’s biting. After the third breath, you’ll feel like a kid again making your first cast[...]

What are the Numbers Every boat captain on the Chesapeake Bay can show you a different way to tie your shoe, but the fact is that there is no single correct way or depth at which to troll. It's really just a matter of finding the right fish. One way we help key in on the fish is by covering all depths of the water column. This means running 3-5 rods, with two rods trolling[...]

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[...]