Accessed through Cecil County’s North East Community Park, the North East River provides fly fishers with a great freshwater tidal river fly fishing experience. Given the number of different fish species you can catch at this Trail site—bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, river herring, striped bass, white catfish, white perch, yellow perch, northern snakehead and blue catfish—there is always something on the fly fishing menu for everyone in your group. Given you are fishing in tidal waters, which specific species are present in the river and where to catch them will change with both the season and with each tidal cycle. You will need a boat to fish the river– canoes, kayak and stand-up paddle boards will give you the needed access as well as jon boats and bass boats. Please note that much of the river’s shoreline is developed. The good news is that just means you have a lot more structure—piers, docks, bulkheads, and moored boats—where fish are going to hang out and be available for you to cast to.

Site Location

The North East River is accessed through Cecil County’s North East Community Park.

Address

North East Community Park 298-206 W Walnut Street, North East, Maryland 21901

How to Get There

From Interstate 95, take the exit for Route 272 and follow it into North East going past the intersection with Route 40. Take a right onto West Walnut Street which leads into North East Community Park.

Parking & Launching

Parking is located on a paved lot.  You can use the North East Community Park's sand soft access to launch your canoe or kayak.

Where to Fish 

You can fly fish from the shore and the fishing pier. For the best fly fishing, you will need a boat, canoe or kayak as there is very limited shoreline fishing. Cast towards the shorelines and on the outer edges of the underwater grass beds.

What to Catch 

Bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, river herring, striped bass, white catfish, white perch, yellow perch, northern snakehead and blue catfish

What to Fish & How

Recommend bringing 6-8 weight fly rods with floating, intermediate and sink tip fly lines. For largemouth bass, recommend medium-sized poppers and floating frog patterns, Clouser minnows, and other minnow imitations. For yellow and white perch, recommend small shrimp and minnow patterns. For catfish and striped bass, recommend larger-sized Clouser minnows, Lefty’s Deceivers and other minnow imitations.

Fly Fishing Organizations

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