Maryland

Chesapeake Bay — America's Greatest Estuary

Fishing in Maryland

Maryland's Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the US and offers world-class striped bass fishing. The state also has quality freshwater bass fishing and growing blue catfish populations.

Tournament Scene

Active striper tournament scene on Chesapeake Bay. Freshwater tournaments on Potomac and Deep Creek.

Local Tips

Chesapeake Bay is the striper capital. Potomac River has trophy largemouth and blue catfish. Deep Creek Lake for smallmouth. Susquehanna Flats for spring stripers.

Local Circuits

Maryland Bass FederationChesapeake Bay Striper Circuit

Public Access

Good access on Chesapeake Bay and tributaries.

Species in Maryland

What you can target and when

Striped Bass

Striped Bass

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Chesapeake Bay · Susquehanna Flats · Choptank River

Bucktail jigTopwater plugParachute jigSpoon
Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

good
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Potomac River · Deep Creek Lake · Triadelphia Reservoir

JigCrankbaitSenkoTopwater

Top Waters in Maryland

Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries

Chesapeake Bay

bayPublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

The most important striper fishery on the East Coast.

Top Species

Striped BassBlue CrabBluefish

Best: Fall/Spring

Upcoming Tournaments in Maryland

46 tournaments found

Northern Pike
Open

King Rock Hall Pike Smackdown

Rock Hall, Maryland
Mar 27, 2026 – Mar 30, 2026
Northern Pike
$75Details
Rainbow Trout
Freshwater

Fire Tilghman Island Trout Quest

Tilghman Island, Maryland
Mar 31, 2026 – Apr 1, 2026
Rainbow Trout
$50Details
Brown Trout
Freshwater Featured

Trailblazer Solomons Trout Rampage

Solomons, Maryland
Apr 6, 2026 – Apr 7, 2026
Brown Trout
$300Details
Muskellunge
Freshwater
2 days

Monster Cambridge Muskellunge Slam

Cambridge, Maryland
Apr 15, 2026 – Apr 16, 2026
Muskellunge
$100Details
Blue Marlin
Saltwater
2 weeks

Pro-Am Ocean City Marlin Clash

Ocean City, Maryland
Apr 23, 2026 – Apr 25, 2026
Blue Marlin
$10000Details
Saltwater

Falcon Havre de Grace Drum Smackdown

Havre de Grace, Maryland
Apr 30, 2026 – May 2, 2026
Red Drum
$500Details

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

Resident License

Annual Resident Freshwater: $20.50. Chesapeake Bay: $15.

Non-Resident License

Annual Non-Resident Freshwater: $30.50. Chesapeake Bay: $22.50. 7-Day: $7.50.

Short-Term License

7-Day licenses available.

Youth & Senior

Free for residents under 16 and over 65.

Boat Registration

Required for motorized vessels.

Tournament Permit

Permits required for organized events.

Regulations Overview

Striped bass: complex seasonal regulations. 5 bass daily limit freshwater. Blue catfish: no limit.

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