The Assawoman Bay Trail site is the ideal spot to fly fish in Maryland’s expansive coastal bays. Launching on the bay side of Worcester County’s Ocean City at the 64th Street Boat Ramp, you will find yourself trying to decide—do I go north into Assawoman Bay or head south into Isle of Wight?  

You can’t make the wrong decision here as you are literally surrounded by acres and acres of shallow-water habitat ready made for fly fishing. Add in all the tidal creeks, ponds and guts extending off the two bays, you can fly fish for days and still not cover all the fishable reaches of these coastal bays. Flounder, speckled trout, croaker, spot and striped bass all call these waters home. Fly fishing the salt marsh sod banks, points of land, piers and pilings where there is nearby access to deeper water on an incoming or outgoing tide will greatly increase the opportunities for hooking into some good sized fish.

Fees

The use of the boat ramps is free, but there is a fee for the parking of boats, trailers, jet skis and other watercraft.

Site Location

Assawoman Bay is on the Eastern Shore within Worcester County, with Ocean City, Maryland composing its eastern shoreline.

Address

64th Street Boat Launch: 123 Seabay Dr, Ocean City, MD 21842

Isle of Wight Park: 13070 St. Martins Neck Rd, Bishopville, MD 21813

How to Get There

To access the Assawoman Bay-Worcester County 64th Street Boat Launch, from Route 90 East heading into Ocean City, take a left turn onto Route 528/Coastal Highway and another left turn onto 64th Street. The boat launch is at the end of the street. To access the Isle of Wight Park soft launch, from Route 90/Ocean City Expressway East towards Ocean City, take a right turn onto St. Martin’s Neck Road before crossing the Assawoman Bay Bridge into Ocean City. Parking and the soft launch is at the point where the St. Martin’s Neck Road take a 90 degree turn to the left.

Parking & Launching

There is limited shoulder parking along St. Martin's Neck Road (2-3 vehicles only) near the put-in. You can launch your boat at the 64th Street Boat Ramp in Ocean City at 64th Street and Seabay Drive, Ocean City, MD 21842 where there is a paved parking area. The Isle of Wight Park soft access launch is for non-motorized, car top boats only. There is limited shoulder parking along St. Martin's Neck Road (2-3 vehicles only) near the put-in. Primary parking is further down St. Martin's Neck Road on the left.

Boat Rentals

Multiple kayak, canoe, and motorboat rentals available throughout Ocean City.

Where to Fish

You will need a boat to fish this Trail site. Fish sod banks, points, and pilings where there is nearby access to deeper water.

What to Catch

Spring: Flounder, bluefish and striped bass 

Summer: Flounder, croaker, spot, striped bass, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and speckled trout

Fall: Flounder, striped bass, bluefish and speckled trout

What to Fish & How 

Use 5 weight to 8 weight fly rods with no. 4 or no. 6 Clouser minnows or shrimp patterns with 10'–12’ fluorocarbon leader on floating line or shorter leader with a sinking line.

Fly Fishing Organizations

Connect with local fly fishing organizations to learn about mentoring opportunities and to connect with others interested in fly fishing.