The Best Spots To Fish in Maryland

Fishing trips in Maryland are a wonderful mixed bag of freshwater and saltwater opportunities for the angler with a thirst for everything. The Mid-Atlantic state is covered in water, with coastlines on the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

With so many fishing spots in and around the state, narrowing down where to start your fishing journey can take time and effort. To help you decide which places to include in your itinerary, we’ve compiled some of the best spots to fish in Maryland.

1. Deep Creek Lake

This 3,800-acre freshwater lake is the largest in Maryland and arguably one of the top fisheries in the region. It has all your freshwater favorites like smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, rainbow trout, and more. It’s even better during winter when you can ice fish for bluegill, yellow perch, northern pike, and trophy bass. With a lake this large, you will want to book one of the freshwater fishing charters in the area so you can fish in comfort and safety.

2. Youghiogheny River Reservoir

Situated at the border separating Maryland and Pennsylvania, this 2,800-acre man-made reservoir is a hotspot for walleye, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge, and chain pickerel. Targeting these fish is easy here as they are plentiful in the submerged timber, shallow weed beds, and boat docks.

3. Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay offers the ultimate Maryland saltwater fishing experience. This iconic waterbody is a popular destination for a reason. Rockfish, croaker, and bluefish are some of the most common fish you’ll catch here. It’s likewise a striped bass haven, so if you want to land a trophy, book one of the striped bass charters specializing in this sought-after gamefish to improve your chances. 

4. Centennial Lake

There’s no better place for shoreline fishing in Maryland than Centennial Lake. This Howard County lake has a 2.6-mile paved pathway open for fishing. Largemouth bass and rainbow trout abound in this 50-acre lake. Other fish you may catch here include channel catfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill, and tiger muskellunge. 

5. Potomac River

If you want a unique fishing experience, go on a bow fishing Maryland adventure. Bowfishing guides in the state will most likely take you to the creeks of the Potomac River, where you can land northern snakeheads. Not that keen on bowfishing? The Potomac River has plenty more fish species to target on your regular fishing gear. This rich waterbody sources its waters from the Appalachian Mountains before flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. The water is home to diverse freshwater fish species like yellow perch, largemouth bass, striped bass, white perch, bluegill, crappie, carp, and more.

6. Liberty Reservoir

This 3,100-acre lake is the best fishing spot for canoe and kayak anglers as it only allows paddling, rowing, and battery-powered motor boats. Shoreline fishing is equally excellent here, with over 80 miles of shore open for fishing. Some of the top catch here include walleye, crappie, bluegill, and bass.

7. Ocean City Inlet

Ocean City calls itself the White Marlin Capital of the World. It hosts a yearly fishing tournament for the gamefish, and any angler who catches the first white marlin at the beginning of the open season gets a prize. Aside from the white marlin, the rest of the city has many more fishing opportunities in its productive fishing spots. The fishing pier is a hotspot for flounder, striped bass, croaker, shark, and spot. The tips of the north and south jetties are striped bass wonderlands. Ocean City flounder fishing charters are some of the best in the industry, so book one of them if you want to experience the ultimate Ocean City fishing experience.

8. Savage River

There’s no better spot for fly fishing in Maryland than the Savage River. Its lower tailwater has plenty of wild brown trout and native brook trout. Sometimes, you can spot a rainbow trout migrating from nearby waterbodies. This part of the river has two zones: the Fly Fishing Only Trophy Trout Management Zone and Artificial Lures or Flies Trout Management Zone. While the section of the river is open year-round, anglers should note the creel and size limit for each trout species and the type of tackle they can legally use in their fishing zones.

Book a Fishing Charter in Maryland

Planning a fishing trip in and around Maryland with your family and friends? Book a fishing charter to guarantee a safe, comfortable, and productive experience. Gootee's Marine, Hocus Pocus Fishing Charters, Good Time Charters, and Salty Siren Fishing are among the top fishing charters in the area. When booking a charter, review their offered trips and see if they match the type of fishing technique or catch you’re after. This is especially crucial if you want to practice specialized fishing methods like bowfishing. You should likewise check if your charter is family-friendly if you’re bringing your kids along, as some charters may not permit children on certain trips for safety reasons.