Message from the DNR
Dear Anglers,
Thank you for your interest in fishing in Maryland! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is here to help you plan your next angling adventure.
Maryland is known for world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. For local residents and for visitors to our state, this includes our unparalleled fishing destinations from the surf of the Atlantic Ocean to the still waters of Deep Creek Lake.
Maryland DNR offers numerous resources to help anglers maximize their fishing experience safely, legally, and successfully! Almost everything you need to know is in this guide and also on our website,
DNR has been doing extensive work to inspire the next generation of anglers and diversify participation in recreational fishing through stakeholder engagement and development of a recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) plan. We are also reaching anglers through our increasingly popular Maryland Fishing Report which shares tips and observations on fishing conditions across the state. To increase convenience, it is now available on your Amazon Echo device—just ask Alexa to “open Maryland Fishing Report!”
Be sure to sign up for our free AccessDNR app to find all the fishing information you need, from the weekly Maryland Fishing Report to the most up-to-date regulations.
Maryland’s anglers play an important role in our efforts to protect fish, wildlife, and their habitats. By participating in the responsible stewardship of our fisheries and waterways, you are not just preserving a time-honored tradition, you are directly contributing to natural resources management. In fact, revenue from sport anglers provides funding for almost half of our fisheries-related programs in Maryland.
Thank you for your contributions and please enjoy a memorable year out on the water!
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
