The tidal Patuxent River flowing through Prince George’s County has a wide variety of fish which readily strike at fishing flies.  As the river widens at Jug Bay, fly fishers can choose from bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, striped bass, yellow perch, white perch, carp and northern snakehead. This is a fish menu which will keep you busy from early spring to late fall. You will need access to a boat, from canoe, kayak, stand up paddle boat, jon boat or bass boat, with two boat launches to choose from—Selby's Landing and Jackson's Landing. Surrounded by marshlands on both sides of the river, be aware your eyes will be drawn to your horizons and may not stay focused on your fly rod!

Fees

Permits to access Selby's Landing and Jackson's Landing can be purchased at the Jug Bay Natural Area Visitors Center at 17272 Croom Airport Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.

Site Location

Jug Bay is located on the tidal Patuxent River in Prince George’s County, to the southeast of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Address

Patuxent River Park, 17272 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

How to Get There

Heading south on Route 301 below Upper Marlboro, Maryland, take a left turn onto MD-382/Croom Road followed by another left onto Croom Airport Road. You can continue on Croom Airport Road to Selby’s Landing or take a left turn onto Park Entrance Road to get to the Patuxent River Park’s visitors center.

Parking & Launching

Parking for Selby's Landing is located on a gravel lot at the end of Croom Airport Road with parking for Jackson's Landing is located on a gravel lot down the hill from the Visitors Center.  You can launch your boat at Selby's Landing at Patuxent River Park, 16299 Croom Airport Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 and at Jackson's Landing at 17272 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.

Boat Rentals

Reservations are required for canoe and kayak rentals. Call 301-627-6074 or go to click here to make your rental reservations.

Where to Fish

For the best fly fishing, you will need a boat, canoe or kayak as there is very limited shoreline fishing. Look for and cast towards structures along the shorelines--bushes, downed trees, and sections of marshlands.

What to Catch

Bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, striped bass, yellow perch, white perch, carp and northern snakehead

What to Fish & How

Recommend bringing 5-7 weight fly rods with floating fly lines with 9' leaders with 3x tippets. For largemouth bass and panfish, recommend poppers, wooly buggers, and insect patterns with rubber legs. For pickerel and catfish, recommend a variety of baitfish patterns including Clouser minnows and Lefty's Deceivers.

Fly Fishing Organizations

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