Maryland has zero natural lakes but over 100 man-made reservoirs, about 50 of which are stocked routinely. The Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River provide world-class striped bass (rockfish) and blue catfish fishing. Maryland also offers free fishing days and free fishing areas where no licence is needed.
Fishing Regulations
- Bass catch-and-release permitted at all times; bass cannot be used as bait.
- Herring (alewife/blueback) and shad: CLOSED - catch and release only.
- Atlantic/shortnose sturgeon: closed.
- Bass slot areas (Johnson Pond, Leonard Mill Pond, Little Seneca Lake, St. Mary's Lake): no bass 11-15 in, only 1 over 15 in, 5/day.
- Catch-and-release bass areas: Monocacy River, Patapsco River (I-70 to MD 144), Potomac River (Dam 2 to Monocacy mouth).
16 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Atlantic Coast & Ocean City Region
Ocean City Inlet, Assateague Island, Atlantic surf, North Atlantic Coast Lake
37 spots
Central Maryland & Baltimore Region
Liberty Reservoir Inlet, Loch Raven, Gunpowder River, Liberty Reservoir
40 spots
Eastern Shore & Chesapeake Bay Region
Chesapeake Bay Inlet, Choptank River, Pocomoke River, North Eastern Shore Lake
37 spots
Southern Maryland & Potomac Region
Potomac River Inlet, St. Mary's Lake, Mattawoman Creek, Lake J9
40 spots
Western Maryland Region
Deep Creek Lake Inlet, Savage River, Youghiogheny River, Deep Creek Lake
40 spots
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