Patuxent River is a River located in St. Mary's County, MD. Starting in Mount Airy, MD the Patuxent River flows 133 miles through Upper Marlboro, MD before ending in Patuxent River, MD. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Patuxent River, MD

The Patuxent River is the largest and longest river in the state of Maryland, spanning 908-square-mile in size. It is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and one of the three major river drainages in central Maryland. The other two are the Potomac River to the west, which runs through Washington, D.C., and the Patapsco River to the northeast, which runs through Baltimore.

The watershed is located entirely in Maryland. Its four major tributaries and feeders consist of the Little Patuxent River, the Middle Patuxent River, the Davidsonville Branch, and the Western Branch. From its origin in the hills of Maryland Piedmont 115 miles away from the Chesapeake,  the Patuxent River runs between Baltimore and Washington D.C. in a generally southeastward direction, before it flows into a passable tidal estuary in Prince George’s County.

About Fishing in Patuxent River, MD

With the presence of both saltwater and freshwater, the Patuxent River provides excellent fishing opportunities for anglers. As a matter of fact, it’s considered one of the best fishing locations in the state. Depending on which part of its watershed you choose to wet the line, there’s a wide range of species waiting for you to catch. But before you head out, it’s best to learn about some of the river’s most productive hotspots, as well as the tips to make the most of your trip.

The Upper Patuxent to the southeast of Damascus offers a long stretch of catch-and-release trout fishing. This 12-mile portion of the watershed is stocked by the DNR with rainbow and brown trout. With fly fishing as the main technique used in the area, Prince Nymph works best as bait. The WSSC Reservoirs, specifically Tridelhpia and Rocky George, also provide a huge recreational playground, especially for anglers with a boat. Although accessing these lakes requires you to get a pass from the Brighton Dam Visitor’s Information Cabin, you’ll find the work worth it, since these lakes are rich in crappie, northern pike, walleye, bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass. Considering the size of these waters, trolling is highly recommended if you want to explore the area.

If you want a thrilling inshore action, you may fish from a pier or while riding a kayak in Kings Landing and the Waysons Corner. The Nans Cover also offers a kayak launch, and here you are guaranteed to catch an abundance of catfish and white perch.

Fishing Seasonality

The Patuxent River provides plenty of fishable waters all year long, but some parts of it become more productive than the others depending on the season. The Upper Patuxent kicks off its trout stocking in spring. The WSSC Reservoirs open their boating season in May, and from then until November its lakes are the best places to go for recreational boat fishing. Spring is also a very active season in Waysons Corner, where you can throw wacky worms along fallen trees and you’ll most likely end up with largemouth bass. Through summer and fall, the Mill Creek, found north of the Solomon Islands, is teeming with speckled trout, white perch, and rockfish.

Fishing Seasonality

The Patuxent River provides plenty of fishable waters all year long, but some parts of it become more productive than the others depending on the season. The Upper Patuxent kicks off its trout stocking in spring. The WSSC Reservoirs open their boating season in May, and from then until November its lakes are the best places to go for recreational boat fishing. Spring is also a very active season in Waysons Corner, where you can throw wacky worms along fallen trees and you’ll most likely end up with largemouth bass. Through summer and fall, the Mill Creek, found north of the Solomon Islands, is teeming with speckled trout, white perch, and rockfish.

About Fishing in Patuxent River, MD

With the presence of both saltwater and freshwater, the Patuxent River provides excellent fishing opportunities for anglers. As a matter of fact, it’s considered one of the best fishing locations in the state. Depending on which part of its watershed you choose to wet the line, there’s a wide range of species waiting for you to catch. But before you head out, it’s best to learn about some of the river’s most productive hotspots, as well as the tips to make the most of your trip.

The Upper Patuxent to the southeast of Damascus offers a long stretch of catch-and-release trout fishing. This 12-mile portion of the watershed is stocked by the DNR with rainbow and brown trout. With fly fishing as the main technique used in the area, Prince Nymph works best as bait. The WSSC Reservoirs, specifically Tridelhpia and Rocky George, also provide a huge recreational playground, especially for anglers with a boat. Although accessing these lakes requires you to get a pass from the Brighton Dam Visitor’s Information Cabin, you’ll find the work worth it, since these lakes are rich in crappie, northern pike, walleye, bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass. Considering the size of these waters, trolling is highly recommended if you want to explore the area.

If you want a thrilling inshore action, you may fish from a pier or while riding a kayak in Kings Landing and the Waysons Corner. The Nans Cover also offers a kayak launch, and here you are guaranteed to catch an abundance of catfish and white perch.