Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Called the “Everglades of the North” and one of the “Last Great Places,” Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge features a mixed landscape of forest, marsh and shallow water habitats. Containing one-third of the state’s tidal wetlands, Blackwater hosts a striking biodiversity. It was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary, but is also home to the largest breeding population of American Bald eagles on the[...]

Twenty-two years ago, Chesapeake Channa (aka northern snakehead) were introduced to a small pond in Crofton, Maryland. Since then, their population has exploded—channa inhabit the murky shallows of just about every tributary of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. While these fish taste great and are exciting to catch, doing your part to help remove these invasive critters from our local waterways is trickier than it may seem. Let’s dive into exactly[...]

The website for the Chesapeake Conservancy and the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay office, www.FindYourChesapeake.com, includes a section devoted to virtual trips, tours, and other online experiences for those who are self-isolating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource is amazing for those who are looking to explore new water and fishing opportunities. Fish & Hunt Maryland picked five river tours from their offerings that are great summer fishing destinations: The Patuxent River[...]

Overview Catfishing on Maryland's Eastern Shore presents anglers with a network of brackish waterways, each teeming with opportunities to reel in impressive catches. The Chesapeake Bay, along with its tributaries such as the Choptank and Nanticoke Rivers, provides fertile grounds for Blue and Flathead Catfish. These estuarine environments offer a unique mix of freshwater and saltwater, creating diverse habitats where catfish thrive. With abundant forage and ample cover provided by marshes, oyster reefs, and submerged[...]

Tips for Taking Newbies Fishing Eliminate the Pressure – Prioritize the experience, rather than how many fish the beginner angler actually catches. Going out on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay, sitting on a riverbank, or paddling around on a pond are enjoyable experiences in and of themselves. Take advantage of this fact and make sure that having fun is “job number-one.” Use KISS Fishing Methods – Trying to explain the fine nuances of pin-point[...]

At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, the snakehead prowls the shallows, offering anglers the chance to test their skills against one of the region's most aquatic predators. Here, the snakehead prowls the shallows, offering anglers the chance to test their skills against one of the region's most formidable predators. With its tranquil ambiance and abundant wildlife, fishing for snakeheads at Blackwater becomes not just a pursuit of a trophy fish, but also a glimpse into the[...]

For decades, world-class fishing in Maryland freshwater tides has attracted the attention of United States presidents like George H. Bush, and nationally-favorited sport fishing organizations like Bass Angler’s Sportsmen Society (B.A.S.S.). It offers hotspots for all of the highly talked about targets including largemouth bass, northern snakehead, striped bass, perch and catfish. Anglers can target all these popular fish in one day, or spread out trips over multiple days. Maryland is a unique state where[...]

Spring is here and there is no better time to get away with friends and family for a little outdoor activity. To help you with planning, we suggest the following Maryland State Park or park-owned land for a great camping and fishing experience. There are plenty of more options, but these will help to provide some inspiration to get outdoors. Each park offers its own unique opportunities, ideal for experiencing the thrill of the catch[...]

With the summer months just around the corner, one thing on most deer hunters’ minds, other than how soon they can get back in their tree stand, is the buck that slipped out of bow range or the one just across the fence line during gun season. Never mind the hardships and anticipation of deer hunting, here are some activities to pass the time that might help make you become a better deer hunter for[...]