Top 10 Places to Go Fishing and Hunting in Maryland

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.

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

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.