MARYLAND GUIDE TO FISHING 2025

Recreational fishing offers opportunities for families and friends to spend quality time together, enjoying the abundant natural resources Maryland has to offer. FishMaryland is Maryland’s recreational fishing award program and is a fun way to explore year-round recreational fishing and enjoy Maryland’s affordable, accessible, diverse and high quality fishing opportunities.

General Fishing Definitions

Fish Identification

Get your Fishing License Today!

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to visit their licensing page for more information about licenses and how to obtain them.

Thanks go out to the fishing, boating, hunting, and shooting sports enthusiasts who help fund the protection of Maryland’s natural resources. Purchases of licenses, equipment, and boat fuel directly support fish and wildlife conservation efforts. New and returning participants from all backgrounds are always welcome.

Who Needs a Trout Stamp?

A trout stamp is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to catch, attempt to catch or possess trout in nontidal waters.

How Do I Know Whether I Need a Tidal or Nontidal Maryland Fishing License?

The following boundaries are designated as dividing lines for tidal and nontidal waters. These boundary lines identify whether a nontidal fishing license or Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing license is required. If you are fishing upstream of the location listed, non-tidal fishing regulations apply. If you are fishing downstream of the location listed, tidal regulations apply.

An interactive map of these divisions is located on the “Maps” page at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/maps.aspx. 

License Exemptions

Statewide Sport Fishing License Exemptions

You may fish for finfish without a license if:

  • You are under 16 years of age.
  • You are a resident of Maryland, on active duty with Armed Forces, on leave with official orders.
  • You fish on a free fishing day—the first two Saturdays in June and July 4.
  • You fish in an area designated by the Department of Natural Resources as a license-free fishing area, and you have obtained a Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration (if required in that area). A list of license free fishing areas is available on page 13 and at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/license- free.aspx.
  • Nontidal Sport Fishing License Exemptions

You may fish for finfish without a license in Maryland‘s nontidal waters if you are an owner or tenant, their spouse, child, or the spouse of their child residing on the property and fishing from the property’s riparian shoreline. Anglers should confirm riparian ownership before fishing, as some impoundments and waterways are surrounded by buffers. In these areas, there are no riparian shoreline owners, and fishing licenses are required. Anglers with riparian shorelines must comply with all fishing rules.

Trout Stamp Exemptions

A trout stamp is not required for possession of trout taken from privately owned lakes and ponds or licensed fee fishing lakes and ponds.

Purple Heart Recipient Discount

Any Maryland veteran who has received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained defending our nation qualifies for a 50 percent discount on Maryland hunting and fishing licenses.

Complimentary Licenses

Complimentary fishing and oystering licenses are available to Maryland residents who are 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, and veterans who are determined to be unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

These licenses must be obtained at a Department of Natural Resources Service Center and cannot be obtained at independent retail locations. Locate your nearest Service Center by visiting dnr.maryland.gov/ pages/service_centers.aspx.

Complimentary licenses are also available to blind individuals (residency requirements vary).

Penalties

The department may suspend an individual’s fishing license or privilege if that individual is convicted of, or pays a fine for, violating certain fishing rules. A full copy of suspendable fishing violations can be found in the Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.13.05. To view this regulation, visit dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/default.aspx. Individuals who are suspended for violating fishing rules in Maryland may also be suspended in other states under the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

Sport Fishing Regulations

IT IS ILLEGAL

  1. To cut a hole through the ice measuring more than 10 inches in any direction for the purpose of ice fishing.
  2. To take bait fish from Put-and-Take Fishing Areas or Special Trout Fisheries Management Areas.
  3. In Deer and Swan creeks in Harford County:
    • For a person to catch or attempt to catch fish other than by hook and line, with line held in hand, attached to a pole or rod held in hand, or attended in a manner that the fish voluntarily takes bait or lure in its mouth.
    • For a person to possess or use minnows for bait while fishing.
    • For anyone to use a dip net baited by attaching an attractant to the net material or frame.
  4. To remove the head and tail of trout or any fish that has a size limit while at the fishing location.
  5. For a person to catch snapping turtles from nontidal waters of the state by hook and line, trotline, bow and arrow, net, seine, trap, fish pot, or other fishing rig, spear, gig or iron or any device capable of piercing any part of the turtle.
  6. To operate any vehicle on any lands owned or controlled by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources without written permission from the department except on those roads, lanes or areas which are open to automobile traffic or which are specifically marked by the department.
  7. To camp on lands owned and controlled by the department except on designated sites or with written permission.
  8. To swim in any State-controlled lake except in designated areas.
  9. In the Battie Mixon Fishing Hole:
    • To fish between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
    • To use boats propelled by gasoline or diesel power.
  10.  To fish any streams or nontidal waters that contain trout between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. (This does not apply to nontidal impoundments of five acres or more.)
  11. To cull trout.
  12. Regarding crayfish in the Susquehanna River, Middle Potomac River, Monocacy River and Upper Potomac River basins, it is illegal to:
    • Catch or process any species of crayfish unless the head is immediately removed behind the eyes upon capture.
    • Use any species of crayfish as bait unless the head is removed behind the eyes.
    • Catch and possess a female crayfish with eggs attached to the underside of the abdomen.
  13.  To introduce/stock any aquatic species into any Maryland waterbody, except baitfish on a hook for the purpose of fishing, without first obtaining a pond stocking permit through the department.
  14. To have in possession while fishing more than 1 quart of cut bait.

Season, Minimum Sizes, Daily Creel and Possession Limits

The following tables summarize rules governing the harvest and possession of fish species that anglers commonly catch in Maryland. This summary does not include all regulated species. Full information and updates are available at dsd.maryland.gov/Pages/COMARHome.aspx.

Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Areas

The following restrictions apply to the areas listed:

  1. Creel limit (brook) – 0 Daily/0 Possession – all brook trout must be immediately released.
  2. Creel Limit (all other species of trout) combined 5 Daily/10 Possession.
  3. Minimum Size—no minimum size.
  4. Season—areas are closed to all fishing from 10 p.m. of the first date, to 6:30 a.m. of the second date, except as provided for by special regulation or where more restrictive fishing hours are posted.
  5. On March 29, 2025, the start time in all Closure 1 areas is 6:30 a.m.

2025 Closure Schedule

  • Closure 0 — No Closure.
  • Closure 1 — March 9–March 29, 2025

Youth Trout Fishing Day

  • March 22, 2025 in all Closure 1 Areas
  • Times: 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Creel limit: 2 trout per child younger than 16 years of age (no brook trout allowed)
  • Individuals 16 years of age or older may not fish in these areas on this day

Garrett County

  • Accident Pond — 1
  • Bear Creek—mainstem from the corner of Fish Hatchery Road and Rabbit Hollow Road downstream to the confluence with the Youghiogheny River at Friendsville — .1
  • Broadford Lake — 0
  • Deep Creek Lake — 0
  • Herrington Creek—mainstem — 0
  • Herrington Lake — 0
  • Jennings Randolph Lake — 0
  • Little Youghiogheny River—mainstem from MD Route 219 downstream to the Youghiogheny River — 0
  • Mill Run—mainstem downstream of uppermost bridge on Mill Run Road — 1
  • Muddy Creek—mainstem — 0
  • New Germany Lake — 0
  • North Branch Potomac River mainstem—from Jennings Randolph Lake upstream approximately 6 miles to the lower boundary of Potomac State Forest; from the uppermost boundary of Potomac State Forest at Wallman upstream approximately 8.5 miles to the bridge at Old Wilson Road; from the red post located approximately 100 yards above the upstream concrete abutments at Barnum, West Virginia, downstream to the red post located below a pool known as Blue Hole, approximately 1⁄3 mile upstream of Bench Mark 1110 on the Westernport United States Geological Survey Quadrangle, and from Piney Swamp Run downstream to the Allegany County line — 0
  • Piney Reservoir — 0
  • Savage Reservoir — 0
  • Savage River—mainstem from Savage Reservoir upstream to Poplar Lick — 1
  • Snowy Creek mainstem — 0
  • Youghiogheny River—mainstem upstream of the junction of Muddy Creek and from the upstream side of the MD Route 42 bridge downstream 0.4 miles to the confluence of Minnow Run, 50 yards downstream from Maple Street. — 0

Special Management Areas – Trout

Catch-and-Return Trout Fishing Areas—Limited to the Use of Artificial Lures

Areas:

  • Patuxent River, Howard and Montgomery counties—the mainstem of the Patuxent River from the crossing of MD Route 97 upstream to the crossing of MD Route 27 and Cabin Branch from its confluence with the Patuxent River upstream to Hipsley Mill Road.
  • Morgan Run, Carroll County—from bridge on London Bridges Road upstream to bridge on MD Route 97.
  • Paint Branch and tributaries, Montgomery County—upstream of Fairland Road.
  • Gunpowder Falls, Baltimore County—mainstem from Prettyboy Reservoir Dam downstream to Bluemount Road.
  • North Branch Potomac River—from an overhead cable and red bank post located approximately 345 yards below the Jennings Randolph Reservoir spillway downstream approximately one mile to a red post, located approximately 100 yards above the upstream concrete abutments at Barnum, West Virginia, and from a red post located below a pool known as Blue Hole, approximately 1⁄3 mile upstream of Bench Mark 1110 on the Westernport United States Geological Survey Quadrangle, downstream approximately 4 miles to the confluence of Piney Swamp Run.
  • Youghiogheny River, Garrett County—mainstem beginning at the red post approximately 100 yards upstream of the Deep Creek Lake tailrace and extending downstream 4 miles to the Sang Run Bridge.
  • Little Hunting Creek, Frederick County—mainstem from the red post located approximately 0.25 mile downstream of Route 806, upstream to include all waters of Little Hunting Creek within the boundaries of Cunningham Falls State Park.

Restrictions:

  • You may not possess trout while fishing in these areas.
  • All trout must be immediately released.
  • You may only fish with artificial lures, including artificial flies.
  • You may not possess or use any natural bait, live bait or any device enhanced with scent capable of catching fish.
  • You may not fish with a barbed hook in these areas.

Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas

Group II Areas:

  • Casselman River mainstem, Garrett County — from a boundary marked by two red posts on both stream banks located on the south side of the Interstate 68 eastbound bridge downstream to the Pennsylvania state line.
  • North Branch Potomac River mainstem, Garrett County—from the lowermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest near Lostland Run to the uppermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest at Wallman.
  • Youghiogheny River mainstem, Garrett County—below Friendsville from a site located 50 yards downstream of Maple Street (at the confluence of Minnow Run) downstream 1.8 miles to the powerline crossing upstream of the Youghiogheny Reservoir.

Restrictions:

  • From June 16–Sept. 30, Creel Limit (all species) combined—5 Daily / 10 Possession. with no tackle restrictions.
  • From Oct. 1–June 15, you:
    • May not possess trout in these areas.
    • Must immediately release any trout.
    • May not possess or use any natural bait, live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent capable of catching fish.
    • May not fish with a barbed hook in these areas.

Trout Stocking Locations and Maps:

During the stocking season, updates are posted daily on the trout stocking web page, social media, and through the department’s email subscription service. Anglers may also call 800-688-3467 to get a recorded update.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/trout/stocking.aspx

Freshwater Fishing Hotspots

Garrett County

  • Broadford Lake – This family-friendly, 140-acre lake is located in the County. Fish species include largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish, and tiger muskie.
  • Deep Creek Lake – Ten miles northeast of Oakland is Deep Creek Lake. The largest freshwater lake in Maryland, it covers six square miles. Fish species include bass, trout, walleye, pike, and panfish.
  • Savage River Tailwater Trophy Trout Fishing Area – Southwest of Frostburg is the Savage River State Forest, home to the Savage River Tailwater Trophy Trout Fishing Area. Both brook and brown trout can be caught here. For flow conditions, call 410-962-7687 or visit the United States Geological Survey for more information.
  • Casselman River – This extremely popular location in Grantsville is a delayed harvest area for both rainbow and brown trout.
  • Piney Reservoir – Largemouth bass, yellow perch, tiger muskie, rainbow trout, and panfish can all be found at this popular fishing spot in Frostburg.
  • Youghiogheny River Reservoir – Maryland Access to the 2,800-acre lake can be found at the Mill Run Campground. Anglers can find large and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, yellow perch, and brown and rainbow trout.
  • Youghiogheny River Catch and Release Trout Fishing Area – The 4-mile long Catch and Release Trout Fishing Area begins at the Deep Creek Lake Power Plant and ends at the Sang Run Bridge. For flow release information, call Deep Creek Hydroelectric Power Plant at 301-413-2823.
  • North Branch Potomac River – (see local maps for directions to Lostland Run, MD, and Barnum, WV.) Call 410-962-7687 for flow conditions or visit the United States Geological Survey website. Fish species include brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass.

New Lakes and Ponds Map Tool

View recent DNR monitoring data on your favorite freshwater fish species at your preferred fishing spots. A new impoundment mapping tool is available on the Freshwater Fisheries Fishing Lakes and Ponds webpage. The online map highlights fishing opportunities for gamefish species in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds with public access.

  • On the map, you can:
  • Select which popular gamefish species you are interested in targeting
  • Click on an individual access point to bring up a thumbnail summary sheet for that species in that impoundment
  • Open summary data from DNR boat electrofishing surveys and see trends in catch rates, the most recent population size distribution, and fish length versus weight relationships

Try using the mapping tool to see monitoring data in your local area or help target specific gamefish species across the state.

New Lakes and Ponds Map Tool

More information on fishing is available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.

Bowfishing: What You Should Know Before You Shoot

It’s a busy season for bowfishing and similar activities. Before you head out with bows, gigs, spears, or spear guns, make sure you know the rules. Bowfishing: What You Should Know Before You Shoot.

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