Fishing Spots in Maryland, United States

The Best Fishing Spots in Maryland

In Maryland, recreational fishing centers on the tidal Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic coast and inland rivers and reservoirs, offering year‑round opportunities from shore, piers and boats. Popular saltwater targets include spring and fall striped bass (rockfish), hard‑fighting bluefish, summertime summer flounder (fluke), weakfish, white perch and croaker, with occasional red drum along the coast. Freshwater anglers pursue strong populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie and stocked trout in streams and reservoirs. Techniques range from fly fishing and light tackle for bass and trout to baitcasting, trolling and bottom fishing for bay species, making Maryland a versatile destination for recreational anglers.

Top Saltwater Fishing Spots

Assawoman Bay

The back-bay waters behind Ocean City host summer flounder, bluefish, speckled trout, and blues chasing bait along channels and flats; drift the Thorofare and channel edges near Isle of Wight or work docks and marsh banks on moving tides.

Ocean City Inlet

A premier land-based and nearshore hotspot where tides sweep bait through the rocks, the Ocean City Inlet produces striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and in warm months sheepshead and tog; surfcasters, jetty hoppers, and boaters drift live baits or bucktails and Gulp along current seams near Assateague Island and the Route 50 bridge.

Tangier Sound

A broad, shallow sound in the lower Bay known for speckled trout, red drum, striped bass, and panfish on grass flats and oyster bars; skiffs and kayaks drift jigs over submerged vegetation near Crisfield and the islands to the south.

Top Freshwater Fishing Spots

Deep Creek Lake

Maryland’s largest inland lake is a four-season fishery for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, and winter ice fishing; points, coves, and submerged timber near McHenry and Turkey Neck are productive for trolling, jigging, and shoreline casting.

Gunpowder River

Below Prettyboy Reservoir, the tailwater’s cold, clear flows are renowned for wild brown trout and seasonal rainbow trout, while the lower tidal reaches provide white perch and schoolie stripers; anglers nymph, dry-fly, and spinner-fish riffles, runs, and pocket water.

Loch Raven Reservoir

A scenic Baltimore-area reservoir with strong populations of largemouth bass, crappie, chain pickerel, and sunfish, plus occasional northern snakehead in connected waters; anglers fish submerged timber, coves, and points, with rental boats and ample shoreline access near Cromwell Bridge.

Savage River

A cold-water gem in western Maryland with wild brook and brown trout thriving in pocket water and pools, complemented by the tailwater below Savage River Reservoir; stealthy presentations with dries and nymphs excel in clear flows around Swanton.

Youghiogheny River

Mountain freestone and tailwater sections provide classic trout water with brown, rainbow, and seasonal brook trout, plus smallmouth bass in warmer stretches; anglers nymph riffles and swing streamers near Friendsville and below Youghiogheny River Lake.

Top Saltwater & Freshwater Spots

Choptank River

Known for excellent white perch, spot, and schoolie striped bass, the Choptank’s piers and marsh-lined creeks shine for bait and lure fishing; the famous fishing pier at Cambridge and shallow flats near Denton produce from spring through late fall.

Chesapeake Bay

The vast Chesapeake Bay is Maryland’s signature fishery, famous for striped bass (rockfish) during spring and fall migrations, summer spot and white perch, and seasonal runs of bluefish, red drum, and speckled trout; anglers work bridges, points, and channel edges from Bay Bridge down to Point Lookout by jigging, trolling, chumming, or casting from piers and shorelines.

Eastern Bay

A productive arm of the Bay with spring and fall striped bass blitzes, summer white perch and spot, and light-tackle jigging around points and ledges; popular drifts run between Romancoke and St. Michaels.

Kent Narrows

Strong tidal flow through this constricted pass concentrates bait and gamefish, delivering action for striped bass, white perch, and seasonal bluefish; anglers jig bridge pilings, cast from bulkheads, or drift live baits between Chester and Eastern Bays.

Nanticoke River

Winding marshes and creek mouths hold white perch, striped bass, and catfish, with summer action on speckled trout near brackish reaches; look to oyster bars and junctions around Vienna and downstream to Bivalve.

Patapsco River

From the tidal harbor to rocky upstream stretches, the Patapsco offers urban access to striped bass, white perch, and catfish in the lower river, and trout and smallmouth in stocked and natural sections; fish piers around Baltimore Harbor or current seams near Elkridge.

Patuxent River

A productive tidal river for spring white perch and striped bass, summer spot and croaker (in stronger years), and fall schoolie stripers; anglers troll channel edges, jig bridge pilings, and fish shoreline piers from Solomons to Benedict.

Pocomoke River

A dark, tannin-stained river famed for cypress-lined bends that shelter largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and tidal white perch; fish laydowns and creek mouths from Snow Hill to the lower marshes near Pocomoke City.

Potomac River

From tidal flats to rocky upriver ledges, the Potomac offers largemouth bass, spring shad and striped bass runs, plus blue catfish year-round; anglers target grass beds, docks, and drop-offs around National Harbor and Mattawoman Creek, while upriver holds smallmouth on current breaks.

Severn River

Flowing past Annapolis, the Severn features docks, grass beds, and channel edges that attract striped bass, white perch, and summer spot; light-tackle anglers work topwater at dawn, jig bridge pilings, and fish live bait along drop-offs.

Susquehanna River

Meeting the Bay at Havre de Grace, the Susquehanna delivers legendary spring white perch and striped bass action around flats and spillways, plus year-round smallmouth bass and channel catfish; boats and shore anglers work current seams near Conowingo Dam and the Susquehanna Flats.