Maryland Bears Black bear are located primarily in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties. Populations are highest in Garrett and Allegany counties, with numbers continuing to rise throughout the western region of Maryland. Although evidence of a breeding population is confined to the western four counties, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources receives several bear sightings and complaints in central and southern Maryland counties each year. Bears are the largest mammals in Maryland. Adult bears[...]

Seasons vary between mammals and birds. While small game mammal hunting takes place from early September through the end of February, birds seasons can vary. For information on seasons, sizes and limits for small game, click HERE. For information on furbearer seasons, sizes and limits, click HERE.

Fishing for Striped Bass Striped bass are silvery fish that get their name from the seven or eight dark, continuous stripes along the side of their bodies. The body is compressed, and the dorsal fins are well separated. The caudal fin is forked, olive green, blue, or black dorsally. On the Atlantic coast, striped bass range from the St. Lawrence River in Canada all the way to the St. Johns River in Florida - although[...]

Fishing for Largemouth Bass Largemouth bass can be recognized by the lower jaw which extends passed the back edge of the eye. It is dark green on its top quarters, with silvery sides and belly. A dark stripe runs across its body. Originally from the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, the species is now found throughout North America and the world. They like large, slow moving rivers or streams with soft bottoms, and they[...]

Fishing for Smallmouth Bass In largemouth bass the maxillary always extends past the back edge of the eye. Smallmouth bass are typically brown, bronze, or tan in color. Smallmouth bass also have dark vertical bars which are usually green or gray in color. In the largemouth bass you would see dark lateral band. Smallmouth like cool, clear streams with moderate current, as well as large, clear lakes. Preferred habit has a gravel or rubble substrate[...]

Blue Catfish The largest of the North American catfish, blue catfish can easily exceed 100 pounds. They are generally slate blue on the back to silvery/white on the underside and have a deeply forked tail. The native range of blue catfish extends from Minnesota and Ohio southward into Mexico. However, due to extensive introductions, their current range incorporates several Atlantic drainage systems as well. As an introduced species, blue catfish have become very successful in[...]

Fishing for Trout Brook trout are native to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, extending as far west as eastern Minnesota. Their original range also included the Appalachian Mountains, where they are still found in many high elevation streams as far south as Georgia. They have been widely introduced into several western states. Brook trout are the only trout native to Maryland waters. Rainbow trout were transplanted to Maryland from the west coast of[...]

Snakehead Fishing Fish of the family Channidae are commonly referred to as snakeheads and consist of two genera (Channa and Parachanna) and approximately 21 species. Eighteen species from the genera Channa are native to Asia while three species from the genera Parachanna are found in tropical Africa. Snakeheads are freshwater fish, but a few may tolerate low salinity waters. Snakeheads can resemble native bowfin, have well toothed jaws and palates, and breathe atmospheric air through[...]

Fishing for Marlin The white marlin is a popular game fish, which can be caught by trolling at or close to the surface. The largest fishery for this species occurs in the summer, between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Baits including mullet, mackerel, herring, and squid as well as lures can be successful in getting a white marlin to bite on a line. When fishing for white marlin, wear protection on your[...]