Hopefully we have endured the last heat wave of the 2023 summer season. Cooler weather is predicted in the coming days and soon cool nights will begin to lower water temperatures. In the meantime, there is plenty of fun and exciting fishing to be had.
Although schools are now open and vacation season is mostly done, good summer fishing continues across Maryland. Take some time on the weekends and after-school hours to enjoy fishing together.
As we go into the Labor Day weekend, there is still plenty of summer fishing action to be shared with family and friends. Remember that while you are fishing, you can also be a citizen scientist! Take a few minutes to help Department of Natural Resources biologists monitor our various fish populations by filling out Read the Rest…
As we approach the end of August, fishing in Maryland could hardly be better, so be sure to get outside with friends and family. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has developed an online striped bass habitat conditions mapping tool on our website, applying newly developed water temperature and dissolved oxygen-based thresholds for Maryland’s resident Read the Rest…
Fishing is good this week in all parts of the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays, and the many freshwater areas throughout the state. Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ biologists are looking to better understand the striped bass recreational fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and are asking for your help. Biologists have set Read the Rest…
Fishing is good this week in all parts of the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays, and the many freshwater areas throughout the state. Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ biologists are looking to better understand the striped bass recreational fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and are asking for your help. Biologists have set Read the Rest…
Spend your time enjoying family and friends, as the end of summer now looms on the horizon. Before they go back to school, load up your young’uns and take them on some summer fishing adventures. There is plenty of fun to be had out there and plenty of fish to keep them busy and build Read the Rest…
Summertime fishing is in full swing, and anglers have been finding many adventures with other species of fish during the two-week striped bass closure in the Chesapeake Bay.
There is plenty of fishing to entertain anglers during these hot summer days. As a reminder, all areas of the Chesapeake Bay will be closed to any targeting of striped bass from July 16 through July 31 to protect the species during this hottest part of the year. Fishing for a variety of species can Read the Rest…
It is time for summer fun and taking a youngster fishing is always a joy for parents, especially when the kids are excited about catching their first fish. Bluegill sunfish and white perch are often ready to oblige. As a reminder, all areas of the Chesapeake Bay will be closed to any targeting of striped Read the Rest…
The summer season is now in full swing, and anglers are enjoying good fishing adventures with family and friends this week. As we advise anglers every year, high summer air and water temperatures increase catch-and-release mortalities in striped bass. The Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website is Read the Rest…
We wish you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday with family and friends. Many anglers will take advantage of a little time off to fish and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with fishing. As a reminder, July 4 is the last free fishing day being offered in Maryland for 2023. As Read the Rest…
Often it is those small moments spent together with our loved ones that turn out to be special and long remembered. Fishing together definitely provides those moments, especially with our youngest anglers. July 4 is just around the corner and with it the last free fishing day being offered in Maryland for 2023. Think about Read the Rest…
This weekend, fathers across Maryland will be celebrated and many will choose to go fishing with their sons and daughters on this special day. Parents who take their children fishing share the kind of intimate experience together that few other activities offer. Lifelong bonds are formed that will stand the test of time and help Read the Rest…
Graduations and school dismissals are setting our younger anglers free to spend more time outdoors. Be sure to carve out time for some fishing adventures in Maryland’s varied waters. Maryland will host the second of three license-free fishing days June 10. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal Read the Rest…
Fishing together can form strong bonds between family and friends. Twin brothers Joe and Mike Popchak began fishing together when they were 8 years old – even though their father wasn’t a fisherman, he would take them out while he read the newspaper. The two brothers have kept with it through the years and recently Read the Rest…
Memorial Day weekend is a time to celebrate with family gatherings and also to reflect on those who gave all to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Fishing offers the time to do both – and this weekend is a perfect opportunity to take your youngsters out and collect some memories and smiles. Maryland will host Read the Rest…
All kinds of fishing opportunities are available this week for anglers, from the mountains of western Maryland to the coastal waters of the Delmarva Peninsula. Seasons are open for striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and black sea bass in the Atlantic Ocean, and many other species of fish are active as water temperatures Read the Rest…
The glorious outdoors are waiting for all to come and enjoy some peace, contemplation from our busy world, and special time with those we love. There are few better opportunities for quality time with our children than fishing together on a quiet stream, pond, or reservoir.
Fishing in Maryland is a wonderful activity to share with family and friends and anglers are enjoying every bit of it. Another species of fish that is not often in the spotlight but is very important is the bluegill sunfish. This is often the first fish that young or new anglers catch and if the Read the Rest…
The wonderful spring weather is inviting Marylanders to come outside and enjoy all the wonders nature has to offer – like walks through state parks, or fishing along an inviting shoreline or fishing pier.
April continues to bring us the many splendors of spring and delightful weather for outdoor activities and fishing. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources trout hatchery program continues generous weekly stockings in many of the state’s waters. As many Chesapeake Bay anglers await the opening of the trophy striped bass season on May 1, others Read the Rest…
It seems spring has finally arrived with some very welcome weather. Now is a great time to get outdoors, and fishing together with family and especially children is a wonderful activity. The spring trout stocking program continues throughout Maryland. This presents an excellent time for our younger anglers where they can achieve success while fishing.
The 2023 Maryland trout season had its normal start last weekend, with plenty of trout to go around for everyone. The weather was wet and chilly, but fun was had by all. Hickory and American shad are arriving at traditional locations to the joy of catch-and-release anglers. The spring striped bass catch-and-release season will be Read the Rest…
The signs of spring are everywhere, and among them is the traditional opening day of Maryland trout season on Saturday, March 25 in many of the put-and-take trout management waters throughout the state. Trout anglers will be out fishing in their favorite waters and enjoying the generous stockings from Maryland Department of Natural Resources hatcheries.
There is an old saying that March comes in like a lion, and truer words could not be spoken this past week. The forecast now calls for warmer and less windy weather, so anglers will be out enjoying good fishing for trout that was stocked in areas that are open. Yellow and white perch are Read the Rest…
March is upon us and anglers young and old are feeling the urge to venture to their favorite fishing location. Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews are busy stocking trout in many locations for put-and-take anglers. Largemouth bass are becoming more active and along with other species of fish providing exciting fishing opportunities.
Some may believe February is a month for indoor activities, but there is plenty of winter fishing to be enjoyed. There are excellent opportunities for large tautog off Ocean City, fishing for many freshwater species is good, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews are placing generous amounts of trout in put-and-take waters near you Read the Rest…
Winter is knocking and those who can dress warm have many fishing opportunities to indulge in through the season. The preseason stocking of trout is occurring, and fishing for tautog off Ocean City is good. Many other species are available in waters across our state – check the online Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing Read the Rest…
The Maryland Chesapeake Bay striped bass season closes at the end of the day on Saturday, December 10, after which striped bass fishing in the Bay and its tributaries will be limited to catch and release. The main stem of the tidal Potomac River will be open to striped bass fishing until December 31, with Read the Rest…
If you dress warmly there are plenty of fishing opportunities this week. There is good fishing for striped bass along with freshwater species like largemouth bass. Offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, fishing for sea bass is excellent with everyone onboard catching a limit.
Everyone at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources wishes you a pleasant and warm Thanksgiving holiday. More than a few anglers will slip out for a little fishing before the big celebration or on the weekend. There are plenty of exciting fishing opportunities out there this week.
Colder temperatures have anglers bundling up to enjoy the good fishing available for a variety of species that are still being caught this fall. Anglers can now be seen dressed in duck hunting garb, gloves, knee boots, or similar warm clothing. Be prepared and have fun!
Chilly nights and pleasant days are heralding late fall, and anglers are trading their lighter clothing for more substantial and warmer attire to enjoy the outdoors and the wonderful fishing opportunities of the season. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has designed a 15-minute online survey with a goal of reaching at least 1,400 anglers Read the Rest…
There is a wide variety of fishing opportunities this week for Maryland anglers. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has stocked trout in many put-and-take waters, including ponds that are ideal for our younger anglers. Striped bass fishing is at its zenith in the Chesapeake Bay, and extra-large crabs are being caught in the Bay Read the Rest…
Summer temperatures are a distant memory, but the splashes of fall colors and excellent fishing opportunities throughout Maryland more than make up for it. This is a wonderful time to be out with family and friends fishing for everything from trout to striped bass.
Anglers are bundling up and enjoying fall fishing at its finest out on the Chesapeake Bay and in Maryland’s freshwater locations, which offer a variety of species. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources fall trout stocking program is in full swing. DNR and the Maryland Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission are proud to announce Captain Bruno Read the Rest…
Anglers returned to fishing with some relatively warm and sunny weather following the previous week’s storm. Across the state, cooling water temperatures should cause both freshwater and saltwater fish to feed more aggressively prior to the winter months. Many boats are seeking striped bass on the Bay, fall trout stocking is underway, and the invasive Read the Rest…
Welcome to the great month of “Rocktober!” The recent wind and rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian has created difficult conditions, but the weather should be improving soon. Anglers saw some exciting fishing action prior to the storm and are anticipating some good fishing in the coming days. Across the state, cooling water temperatures Read the Rest…
As we reach the end of September, anglers are seeing some exciting fishing action – cooling water temperatures are transitioning some marine fisheries and spurring freshwater fish to feed more aggressively. The end of summer brought some excitement to the Atlantic Coast. Two new state record fish were caught out of Ocean City – a Read the Rest…
As summer fades into fall, anglers are enjoying milder temperatures and good fishing for a variety of species. If you enjoy beautiful scenery to go with your fall fishing trips, check out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fall Foliage Report to find out where the trees are displaying their natural wonder. Sign up at Read the Rest…
As we move through September, the thrill of beautiful weather beckons everyone to get outside. There are lots of fishing opportunities to be found this week in Maryland waters, from the western mountains to the Atlantic coast, and everywhere in between.
Cooler air temperatures will start lowering water temperatures this month and fish behavior will begin to change, for the better in most cases. Freshwater fish will become more active during the day, summer migrants to the Chesapeake and coastal bays will begin to feel the urge to move south, and fall migrations of offshore ocean Read the Rest…
Labor Day is almost upon us, and with September comes small changes in weather that will affect fishing in Maryland. Cooler water temperatures will cause some of our summer migrants to start heading south, and local fish species will become more active throughout the day. This week is our final Striped Bass Fishing Advisory Forecast Read the Rest…
Summertime fun continues across Maryland, and it is a great time for dads and moms to spend special moments while fishing with children and making memories that will last a lifetime. Remember to check the striped bass fishing advisory forecast for excessively hot weather, and help protect our smaller catch-and-release fish for future seasons.
The summer days keep rolling along – be sure to enjoy what time we have now with kids before they are back to school. Soon it will be September, exciting times for anglers as water temperatures cool and fishing kicks into high gear. But until then, remember that hot weather creates tough conditions for undersized Read the Rest…
Families are fitting in those last summer vacations and simple relaxing times close to home. From local ponds and tributaries to the waters off Ocean City, Maryland’s waters are ideal places to spend time with children and allow them to experience the joys of fishing. Remember that hot weather creates tough conditions for undersized striped Read the Rest…
This is an exciting week for fishing and crabbing in Maryland! The Chesapeake Bay striped bass season has reopened, and more seasonal fish are arriving in the Bay, rivers, and Atlantic Ocean. Remember that hot weather creates tough conditions for undersized striped bass that are caught and released. From now until September, DNR once again Read the Rest…
As we approach the end of July, families are enjoying vacations and anglers of all ages are fishing together. Sometimes the unbounded hope of angling offers up some surprises. For those anglers who are also photographers, be sure to enter your best shots in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest. Entries for the Read the Rest…