Best Fishing Spots in Maryland (2026) — Chesapeake Bay Rockfish, Deep Creek Lake & Savage River

Top MD fishing: Chesapeake Bay 200-mi rockfish, Deep Creek 3,900 acres, Conowingo 40-lb stripers, Ocean City marlin.

Maryland is Chesapeake Bay country — America's largest estuary stretching 200 miles with legendary striped bass (rockfish) and blue crabs, Deep Creek Lake's 3,900-acre mountain playground, Western Maryland's premier trout streams, the Potomac River's smallmouth bass, and Ocean City's "White Marlin Capital" offshore fishing. The MD fishing license two-system approach covers it all.

Maryland Chesapeake Bay fishing

Chesapeake Bay (Tidal — $15)

AreaSpeciesLimitNotes
Upper Bay (Susquehanna Flats)Rockfish, perch, shad2 rockSpring striper run — 40+ lb fish!
Middle Bay (Kent Island, Annapolis)Rockfish, bluefish, croaker2 rockChesapeake Bay Bridge area — charter central
Conowingo Dam tailraceStripers, catfish, shad2 rockGiant stripers below dam — trophy!
Eastern ShoreRockfish, trout, crabsVariesScenic — less crowded than western shore

Freshwater (Nontidal — $32)

WaterSpeciesNotes
Deep Creek LakeLMB, SMB, pike, walleyeMD's largest — 3,900 acres in Garrett County
Savage RiverBrown, rainbow troutPremier catch-and-release trout stream
Youghiogheny RiverBrown, rainbow troutW MD — scenic mountain trout water
Potomac RiverSmallmouth bass, catfishOutstanding smallmouth — DC area access

Seasonal Guide

SeasonBest TargetsPrime SpotsTips
Spring (Mar–May)Striper run, shad, trout openerConowingo, Bay, Savage RApril striper trophy run = MD's biggest event!
Summer (Jun–Aug)Chesapeake crabs, bass, ocean marlinBay, Deep Creek, Ocean CityBlue crab season + Ocean City marlin
Fall (Sep–Nov)Fall striper, bass, perchBay, Potomac, Deep CreekOct-Nov Bay rockfish = excellent
Winter (Dec–Feb)Trout stocking, deep Bay rockfishW MD streams, Bay deepWinter trout stocking in Savage River

Neighboring: Virginia for Chesapeake VA side, Pennsylvania for PA trout, West Virginia for mountain streams.

An MD fishing license nontidal is $32, tidal $15. See full costs or buy yours.