Skip to Main Content

Top 10 Places to Go Fishing and Hunting in Maryland

Photo of man fishing from river bank

Fly fishing; by Matt Shevland

From the rugged Allegheny Mountains to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay to the mid-Atlantic canyons, Maryland has it all for sportsmen and women. Whether you’re a novice going on your first trip or a seasoned sportsman on a getaway with some buddies, you’ll find what you’re after right here. Start planning today with one of these top places to go hunting and fishing in Maryland.

Man behind tall grass in camo

Hunting; by Heather Hughes

1. Duck and Goose Hunting on the Eastern Shore: Located right in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, Maryland is steeped in duck and goose hunting tradition, and the Eastern Shore has some of the best waterfowl hunting.
Season: Fall/Winter/Late Summer

2. Surf Fishing at Assateague Island National Seashore: The barrier island of the Maryland coast draws huge schools of big red drum, black drum, striped bass, bluefish, flounder, rays and sand sharks.
Season: Year round

3. Turkey Hunting in Savage River State Forest: With a diverse woodland and some of the largest stands of old-growth forest on the East Coast, Western Maryland provides an ideal habitat for wild turkey.
Season: Fall/Winter/Spring

4. Deer Hunting in St. Mary’s River State Park: With dense woodlands, open fields and lush marshes, these eons-old hunting grounds remain one of the best game sites on the eastern seaboard and perfect terrain for whitetail deer.
Season: Fall/Winter

5. Kayak Fishing at the Bay Bridge: Launch from Sandy Point State Park and get right up to the pylons of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to enjoy great luck with giant black drum.
Season: Year round

6. Bass Fishing on Loch Raven: Stocked with largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike and perch, Loch Raven is the perfect spot to drop a line and drop off the grid.
Season: Year round

7. Exotic Sika Deer Hunting in Dorchester County: Native to Asia and more closely related to elk, these exotic deer are a unique Maryland species that favor marshlands.
Season: Late Summer/Fall/Winter

Photo of woman with bow pointed at water

Bowfishig; by Jim Thompson

8. Bowfishing in Indian Head: One of the most exciting developments in recreational fishing is the thrilling sport of bowfishing, and the Potomac River is one of the best spots around to try it.
Season: Year round

9. Fly Fishing Getaway on Casselman River: Whether you’re a seasoned fly-caster or looking for comprehensive lessons, lose yourself to the sound of rippling waters, the swish of line and the splash of a monster trout.
Season: Year round

10. Black Bear Hunting at Dan’s Mountain: With 2,800 feet of elevation change and dense hardwoods, Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area is known for rugged, back-country hunts, and more than five miles of public roads make for accessible hunting.
Season: Fall

Article submitted by our partners at Fish and Hunt Maryland. Appears in Vol. 21, No. 3 of the Maryland Natural Resource magazine, summer 2018.

Image of magazine advertising subscriptions


doit-ewspw-W02