Project Access Allows Angling for All
As spring arrives in the Patapsco Valley, many visitors start to think about fishing. Fishing the Patapsco River and its tributaries is a year-round activity. In winter, diehard anglers probe the deep holes and runs in search of holdover trout left from the previous stockings provided by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Occasionally, a fat smallmouth bass will be pulled from its winter lair, but the majority of anglers won't wet their lines until winter loses its icy grip on the land and the spring thaw stirs what lies beneath the water's cold surface. Anglers of all shapes and sizes will ply the waters in hopes of landing "the big one."
Access to the river and its tributaries is open to the public within the 18,000 acres of Patapsco Valley State Park and Morgan Run Natural Environment Area. For most, good fishing is within a short walk. Visitors with disabilities will find that DNR has provided several opportunities at Patapsco to enjoy an outdoor adventure. Lost Lake, in the Avalon Area, has provided fishing opportunities for seniors, youth and anglers with disabilities for almost two decades.
A more recent addition to our accessible facilities is Project Access, a cooperative effort between DNR and the Patapsco Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (PVCTU). In 1992, PVCTU member Arthur "Art" Nierenberg began a volunteer effort to create Project Access. Art's goal was to create accessible fishing opportunities while maintaining a more natural, aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. After experimenting with various alternative trail surfaces, this was accomplished by installing a pigmented concrete surface that is complementary to the surrounding area. With the recent completion of Project Access, Morgan Run's popular trout fishing opportunities are now available to all visitors.
Article by Ranger Frank Ryan
The State Forest and Park Service offers accessible fishing piers at many of its facilities. Information regarding fish species and regulations, licenses, and tide information is available on DNR's Fisheries Service homepage.
Click here for a fishing license application.
- Assateague State Park, (Worcester County)
- Choptank River Fishing Pier, (Talbot County)
- Cunningham Falls State Park, (Frederick County)
- Deep Creek State Park, (Garrett County)
- Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area, (Cecil County)
- Gunpowder Falls State Park, (Baltimore County)
- Herrington Manor State Park, (Garrett County)
- Janes Island State Park, (Somerset County)
- Martinak State Park, (Caroline County)
- Morgan Run Natural Environment Area, (Carroll County)
- Patapsco Valley State Park, (Baltimore County)
- Pocomoke State Park, (Worcester County)
- Point Lookout State Park, (St. Mary's County)
- Rocky Gap State Park, (Allegany County)
- Sandy Point State Park, (Anne Arundel County)
- Smallwood State Park, (Charles County)
- Susquehanna State Park, (Harford County)
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Last Updated November 28, 2005
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