Youth-Only Trout Fishing Day

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering the state’s third Youth-Only Trout Fishing Day one week before opening day for all trout anglers.

When: March 21, 2026, from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Anglers should note that not all locations are open or accessible during fishing hours, so they should confirm their local access point’s operating hours before attending.

Where: Put-and-take trout areas are under closure. These will be stocked in advance. Fishing areas under closure are listed (labeled with a  “1”) online and in the Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing.

Who: Youth anglers under the age of 16 may catch and keep up to two trout each, except brook trout, which must be released if caught.

More information: The traditional trout opening day for anglers of all ages will occur on March 28, beginning at 6:30 AM.

Maryland’s coldwater hatcheries produce more than 257,00 adult rainbow, golden rainbow, and brown trout annually to meet the demands of the put-and-take stocking program. The department stocks more than 100 waterbodies in 19 counties.

Photo Cutline: Angler Brooke Tomcho caught her first fish on 3/22/2025, the second inaugural Maryland Youth Fishing Day, in the Little Gunpowder River, a Golden Trout, while fishing with Dad. Photo by Larry Tomcho.