The Kent Island Trail site positions you right in the middle of some outstanding Eastern Shore tidal waters to fly fish for striped bass, bluefish, spot, Spanish mackerel, flounder, croaker and white perch. You will definitely need a boat for taking advantage of the thousands of acres of tidal water habitats you can see just from the boat launch. Here’s a big picture summary of the opportunities before you when launching from here in Queen Anne’s County. Heading north takes you right into the lower Chester River, with Eastern Neck across the river, the Chesapeake Bay to the left as you round Love Point, and up the Chester River to the right. Heading south through Kent Narrows, you will enter Prospect Bay and then Eastern Bay where you could spend days exploring and casting within seemingly countless tidal bay, rivers and creeks.  What are you waiting for—there are so many fish out there just waiting to strike at your fishing flies!

Fees

Permits are required from Queen Anne's County to access this Trail site.

Site Location

Located in Queen Anne’s County where Kent Island meets up with the rest of the Eastern Shore, Kent Narrows can easily accessed right off Route 50.

Address

Kent Island Landing: 100 Piney Narrows Road, Chester, MD 21619

Goodhands Landing: Goodhand Creek Rd, Chester, MD 21619

Cabin Creek Landing: 100-298 Cabin Creek Rd, Grasonville, MD 21638

How to Get There

Take Route 50 over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the Western Shore, taking Exit 41 onto MD-18E/Mainstreet, then a left turn taking you under Route 50, followed by a right turn onto Pine Narrows Road which leads you to the boat launch and parking lot. Coming up or down the Eastern Shore, take Route 50 towards Kent Island, then take Exit 41 onto Pine Narrows Road which leads you to the boat launch and parking lot.

Parking & Launching

There are paved parking lots at the Kent Island Landing and Goodhands Creek Landing and a gravel parking lot at the Cabin Creek Landing. You can launch from concrete boat ramps at Kent Island Landing 100 Piney Narrows Road, Chester, MD 21619 and Goodhands Creek Landing Goodhand Creek Rd, Chester, MD 21619, as well as use the soft launch at Cabin Creek Landing 100-298 Cabin Creek Rd, Grasonville, MD 21638.

Boat Rentals

Boat rentals are available from Crab Alley Marina located at 1820 Crab Alley Dr, Chester, MD 21619

Where to Fish

You will need a boat to fly fish this Trail site. Fish sod banks close in on points on both sides of the river but particularly on and around Hail Point. Look for birds and breakers in late summer and fall just outside the day markers for the Kent Narrows entrance. Fish the concrete breakwater near the Yacht Club on the southwest side of Kent Narrows or sod banks around Hog Island and along Crab Alley Neck. Look for birds and breakers near Parson’s Island and Prospect Bay.

What to Catch

Spring: Striped bass and white perch in deeper areas beneath the bridge

Summer: Striped bass on sod banks, ledges and submerged rock piles. White perch on submerged rock piles. 

Fall: Striped bass and white perch

Winter: A few striped bass in a deep area beneath the bridge.

You will also find bluefish, spot, Spanish mackerel, flounder and croaker at this Trail site.

What to Fish & How

Recommend bringing 7-9 weight fly rods with floating, intermediate and sinking fly lines. Use Clouser Deep Minnows or Deceivers sized similar to fish in bait schools or try poppers around sod points in low light situations.

Fly Fishing Organizations

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