Contact Fisheries
2012 Spring Trout Closure Dates Clarification
Attention anglers - on page 24 of the printed version of the 2012 Maryland Fishing Guide the Put-and-Take trout fishing closure schedule contains the wrong dates.
The correct dates are:
Closure 1 - March 11 to March 31;
Closure 2 - March 25 to March 31;
Closure 3 - April 15 to April 21; and
Closure 4 - April 22 to April 28
Help To Stop Poachers
Reminder - If you spot poaching please place a call to our Catch a Poacher Hotline at 1-800-635-6124 - a cash reward is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction of a violator.
Felt Soled Waders and Shoe Ban
Felt-soled waders and wading shoes are now banned in the State of Maryland. Click here to read news item. Further information can be found through our FAQ on the felt sole ban.
Latest 2012 Spring Trout Stocking
Only Locations Open at Time of Stocking Are listed in This Table
| County | Location | Date | Map |
| Baltimore | Little Falls (720 RB/GN) | May 15 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Gunpowder Falls Upper (720 RB/GN) | May 15 | GO > |
| Allegany | Jennings Run (960 RB/GN) | May 15 | GO > |
| Allegany | Evitts Creek (1445 BN) | May 15 | GO > |
| Garrett | Parkview Pond - Youth & Blind (200 RB) | May 14 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Branch Potomac River - Westernport (1390 BN) | May 14 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Branch Potomac River - Barnum (1500 BN) | May 14 | GO > |
| Garrett | Casselman River - Delayed Harvest (100 RB) | May 14 | GO > |
| Allegany | Lions Park Pond - Youth, Eldery and Blind (100 RB) | May 14 | GO > |
| Allegany | Cotton Cove Pond (100 RB) | May 14 | GO > |
| Garrett | Snowy Creek (960 BN) | May 11 | GO > |
| Garrett | Casselman River - Delayed Harvest (2750 RB) | May 11 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Great Seneca Creek (960 RB/GN) | May 10 | GO > |
| Howard/Montgomery | Little Patuxent River - 2 fish/day (720 RB/GN) | May 10 | GO > |
| Washington | Beaver Creek - Upper (500 RB/GN) | May 10 | GO > |
| Allegany | Fifteen Mile Creek (1445 BN) | May 10 | GO > |
| Cecil | Big Elk Creek (1445 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Jones Falls (290 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Gwynn Falls (475 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Gwynn Oak Pond (240 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Gunpowder Falls Lower (475 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Washington | Sideling Hill Creek (1445 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Washington | Antietam Creek (500 RB/GN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Garrett | Accident Pond (475 BN) | May 9 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Branch Potomac River - Gorman (715 RB/GN) | May 8 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Branch Potomac River - Kitzmiller (1000 RB/GN) | May 8 | GO > |
| Allegany | Lions Park Pond <16, > 65 and Blind (385 RB/GN) | May 8 | GO > |
| Allegany | Wills Creek (1445 RB/GN) | May 8 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Little Gunpowder Falls (960 RB/GN) | May 8 | GO > |
| Harford | Deer Creek (1445 RB/GN) | May 8 | GO > |
| Carroll | South Branch Patapsco River - Upper (1200 RB/GN) | May 7 | GO > |
| Carroll | Piney Run (240 RB/GN) | May 7 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Patapsco River - Daniels - 2 fish/day (475 RB/GN) | May 7 | GO > |
| Garrett | Piney Reservoir (960 RB/GN) | May 7 | GO > |
| Garrett | New Germany Lake (960 RB/GN) | May 7 | GO > |
| Garrett | Deep Creek Lake (960 RB) | May 7 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Friendsville (475 BN) | May 4 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Delayed Harvest (1450 BN) | May 4 | GO > |
| Garrett | Bear Creek (1445 BN) | May 4 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Branch Potomac River - Barnum (960 RB/GN) | May 3 | GO > |
| Garrett | Herrington Lake (475 RB/GN) | May 3 | GO > |
| Garrett | Broadford Lake (475 RB/GN) | May 3 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Pine Lake (245 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Northwest Branch (1445 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Martin Luther King, Jr Pond (240 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Washington | Antietam Creek (475 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Garrett | Savage River (1925 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Allegany | Laurel Run - Youth, Elderly & Blind (290 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Allegany | Dans Mountain Pond (475 RB/GN) | May 2 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Patapsco River - Daniels - 2 fish/day (720 RB/GN) | May 1 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Patapsco River - Avalon (1685 RB/GN) | May 1 | GO > |
| Washington | Israel Creek (250 RB/GN) | May 1 | GO > |
| Allegany | Jennings Run (960 RB/GN) | May 1 | GO > |
| Allegany | Flintstone Creek (960 RB/GN) | May 1 | GO > |
| Howard | Little Patuxent River - 2 fish/day (1000 RB/GN/BN) | Apr 30 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Patapsco River - Daniels - 2 fish/day (1000 RB/GN/BN) | Apr 30 | GO > |
| Allegany | White Sulfur Pond (475 RB) | Apr 30 | GO > |
| Allegany | Orchard Pond (475 RB) | Apr 30 | GO > |
| Allegany | Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap) (960 RB) | Apr 30 | GO > |
| Garrett | Deep Creek Lake (960 BN) | Apr 26 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Tucker Pond (250 RB/GN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Melwood Pond (250 RB/GN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Allens Pond (750 RB/GN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Charles | Hughesville Pond (475 RB/GN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Stansbury Park Pond (475 RB/GN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Washington | Antietam Creek (475 RB/GN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Garrett | Glades Park Pond - Youth & Blind (240 BN) | Apr 25 | GO > |
| Cecil | Rising Sun Pond, Youth, Elderly & Blind (240 RB/GN) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Cecil | Howards Pond (340 RB/GN) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Washington | Greenbrier Lake (960 RB) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Washington | Blairs Valley Lake (960 RB) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Frederick | Rainbow Lake (475 RB/GN) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Frederick | Hamburg Pond (200 RB/GN) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Frederick | Frank Bentz Pond (240 RB) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Frederick | Cunningham Falls Lake (720 RB) | Apr 24 | GO > |
| Garrett | Parkview Pond - Youth & Blind (240 RB/GN) | Apr 23 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Izaal Walton Pond (475 RB/GN) | Apr 20 | GO > |
| Carroll | Farm Museum Pond (475 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Allegany | Evitts Creek Ponds (720 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Washington | Little Tonoloway Creek Upper - 2 fish/day (190 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Washington | Little Tonoloway Creek - Youth & Blind (240 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | School House Pond (475 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Melwood Pond (245 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Cosca Lake (475 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Lake Artemesia (725 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Greenbelt Lake (475 RB/GN) | Apr 19 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Laurel Lake (245 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Calvert | Myrtle Grove Annex (500 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Calvert | Myrtle Grove Pond (950 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Calvert | Hughesville Pond (300 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Calvert | Hutchins Pond (200 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Calvert | Calvert Cliffs (75 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Howard | Little Patuxent River - 2 fish/day (1925 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Washington | Antietam Creek (475 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Oakland (960 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Allegany | Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap) (960 RB) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Allegany | Battie Mixon (960 RB/GN) | Apr 18 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Avalon Pond - Youth, Elderly & Blind (240 RB/GN) | Apr 17 | GO > |
| Washington | Little Antietam Creek - Youth & Blind (No Number Available) | Apr 17 | GO > |
| Washington | Israel Creek (No Number Available) | Apr 17 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Friendsville (475 RB) | Apr 17 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Delayed Harvest (1000 RB) | Apr 17 | GO > |
| Frederick | Carroll Creek - Youth & Blind (No Number Available) | Apr 17 | GO > |
| Harford | Forest Hill Pond (245 RB/GN) | Apr 16 | GO > |
| Garrett | Savage River (1445 RB/GN) | Apr 16 | GO > |
| Garrett | New Germany Lake (960 RB/GN) | Apr 16 | GO > |
| Garrett | Savage River Reservoir (1445 RB) | Apr 13 | GO > |
| Garrett | Deep Creek Lake (960 RB) | Apr 13 | GO > |
| Frederick | Middle Creek (1335 RB/GN) | Apr 13 | GO > |
| Frederick | Woodsboro Pond (200 RB/GN) | Apr 12 | GO > |
| Frederick | Whiskey Springs Pond (340 RB/GN) | Apr 12 | GO > |
| Frederick | Urbana Lake (245 RB/GN) | Apr 12 | GO > |
| Allegany | Town Creek - Delayed Harvest (1500 RB/GN) | Apr 12 | GO > |
| Washington | Indian Spprings Pond (720 RB/GN) | Apr 11 | GO > |
| Washington | Antietam Creek (480 RB/GN) | Apr 11 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Br Potomac River - Westernport (900 RB/GN) | Apr 11 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Br Potomac River - Barnum (1000 RB/GN) | Apr 11 | GO > |
| Frederick | Catoctin Creek - Delayed Harvest (500 RB/GN) | Apr 11 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Stansbury Park Pond (475 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Little Gunpowder Falls (720 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Gunpowder Fall - Lower (1925 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Washington | Blairs Valley Lake (1445 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Oakland (925 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Garrett | Snowy Creek (450 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Frederick | Owens Creek (1925 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Frederick | Middletown Pond (595 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Frederick | Friends Creek (960 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Frederick | Brunswick Pond - 2 fish/day (250 RB/GN) | Apr 10 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Pine Lake (475 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Northwest Branch (2170 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Martin Luther King, Jr. Pond (240 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Howard | Elkhorn Lake (1200 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Howard | Centennial Lake (1685 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Washington | Greenbrier Lake (1685 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Frederick | Frank Bentz Pond (240 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Frederick | Cunningham Falls Lake (960 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Allegany | Wills Creek (1445 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Allegany | White Sulfur Pond (480 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Allegany | Orchard Pond (480 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Allegany | Lions Park Pond, Youth, Elderly and Blind (385 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Allegany | Cotton Cove, (290 RB/GN) | Apr 9 | GO > |
| Garrett | Casselman River - Delayed Harvest, (2750 RB) | Apr 6 | GO > |
| Frederick | Catoctin Creek - Delayed Harvest, (300 RB) | Apr 6 | GO > |
| Frederick | Big Hunting Creek - Catch & Return, (1000 RB) | Apr 6 | GO > |
| Washington | Little Tonoloway Creek Upper, (290 RB/GN) | Apr 6 | GO > |
| Washington | Little Tonoloway Creek - Youth Only, (240 RB/GN) | Apr 6 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Tucker Pond, (475 RB/GN) | Apr 5 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Lake Artemesia, (725 RB/GN) | Apr 5 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Greenbelt Lake, (725 RB/GN) | Apr 5 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | Cosca Lake, (960 RB/GN) | Apr 5 | GO > |
| Calvert | Hutchins Pond, (475 RB/GN) | Apr 5 | GO > |
| Garrett | Bear Creek, (1925 RB/GN) | Apr 5 | GO > |
| Garrett | Piney Reservoir, (960 RB/GN) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Garrett | Savage River, (1925 RB/GN) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Carroll | Morgan Run, (1500 BR) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Patapsco River - Daniels, (1000 BR) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Washington | Antietam Creek, (900 RB/GN/BR) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Frederick | Carroll Creek, (675 RB/GN) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Washington | Israel Creek, (475 RB/GN) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Washington | Little Antietam Creek, (240 RB/GN) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Frederick | Woodsboro Community Pond, (475 RB/GN) | Apr 4 | GO > |
| Prince Georges | School House Pond, (720 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Charles | Wheatley Lake, (960 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Charles | Myrtle Grove Pond, (950 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Charles | Hughesville Pond, (300 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Washington | Sharpsburg Pond, (480 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Washington | Pangborn Park Pond, Youth, Elderly & Blind, (240 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Friendsville, (480 RB) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Garrett | Youghiogheny River - Delayed Harvest, (100 RB) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Br Potomac River - Kitzmiller, (960 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Br Potomac River - Gorman, (720 RB/GN) | Apr 3 | GO > |
| Allegany | Evitts Creek, (1445 RB/GN) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Allegany | Evitts Creek Ponds, (720 RB/GN) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Garrett | North Br Potomac River - Delayed Harvest, (1500 RB) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Baltimore | Patapsco River - Daniles - 2 fish/day, (1410 RB/GN) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Howard | Middle Patuxent - Delayed Harvest, (500 RB) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Howard/Montgomery | Patuxent River - Catch & Return, (700 RB) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Montgomery | Lake Needwood, (1445 RB/GN) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Wicomico/Worcester | Beaverdam Creek, (720 RB/GN) | Apr 2 | GO > |
| Worcester | Shad Landing Pond, (345 RB/GN) | Apr 2 | GO > |
Trout Fishing FYI
Maryland has several locations which are managed as Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas
As the title implies, these locations are restricted to catch and release fishing only up until a specific date. Delaying harvest offers several benefits to anglers, including a larger number of fish to be caught, and these longer term acclimated fish exhibit a more natural trout feeding behavior, allowing fly fishermen to have additional opportunities to test their skills matching hatches on the streams with delayed harvest regulations. In contrast, most put and take streams are "fished down" after several days and the fish that are stocked are often geared toward feeding on pellet food from the hatcheries. Multiple stockings of delayed harvest areas offer trout fishermen a higher success rate over a longer period of time, with the bonus of providing a late spring or early summer five fish creel limit long after most of the put and trout streams have seen peak catches of trout. There are two distinct groups of designated Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas. They are:
Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas
1. Group Ia. Areas:
i. Catoctin and Little Catoctin Creek (Frederick County) from U.S.Route 40 near its intersection with Maryland Route 17 within Doubs Meadow Park downstream to the lower park boundary near Myersville.
ii. Middle Patuxent River (Howard County) from U.S.Route 29 downstream to Murray Hill Road.
iii. Town Creek mainstem (Allegany County) within Green Ridge State Forest, from a red post located approximately 3/4 mile downstream of the upper ford on Lower Town Creek Road, just south of the Wagner Road intersection, downstream to a red post located just upstream of the lower ford on Lower Town Creek Road (Mallory Place), and from a post located approximately 1/2 mile downstream of Maniford Road to a red post located approximately 1 3/4 miles downstream (Bull Ring Ranch).
b. Restrictions for these areas:i. From June 1 through September 30, inclusive, the daily creel limit and possession limit is five trout (all species of trout in aggregate), with no tackle restrictions.ii. From October 1 through May 31, inclusive, a person:(a) May not have any trout in possession while fishing.
(b) Shall immediately release any trout caught to the water from which the trout was taken.
(c) Except for artificial lures, may not possess or use any natural bait, live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent capable of catching fish in these areas.
2. Group II located on the south side of the Interstate 68 eastbound bridge downstream to the Pennsylvania state line.a. Areasi. Casselman River mainstem (Garrett County) from a boundary marked by two red posts on both stream banks
ii. North Branch Potomac River mainstem (Garrett County) from the lowermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest near Lostland Run to the uppermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest at Wallman.
iii. Youghiogheny River mainstem (Garrett County) below Friendsville from a site located 50 yards downstream of Maple Street (at the confluence of Minnow Run) downstream 1.8 miles to the powerline crossing upstream of the Youghiogheny Reservoir.b. Restrictions for these areas:i. From June 16 through September 30, inclusive, the daily creel limit and possession limit is five trout (all species of trout in aggregate), with no tackle restrictions.ii. From October 1 through June 15, inclusive, a person:(a) May not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas.
(b) Shall immediately release any trout caught to the water from which the trout was taken.
(c) Except for artificial lures, a person may not possess or use any natural bait, live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent capable of catching fish in these areas.
Whirling and Other Diseases
MDNR is asking anglers to continue to be vigilant about not spreading whirling, other disease and invasive organisms. Please remember to clean your gear between streams or outings to prevent moving around unwanted invaders like didymo and whirling disease. You can wash with dish soap or a 5% salt solution or use one of the convenient wader wash stations if present at your location. For information on how you can help, look below this article and go to Additional Disinfection Methods for Fishing Gear. A detailed synopsis of our 2007 whirling disease testing results and related information is now available at this site. For more information go to The Whirling Disesase Update Page.
An invasive and potentially detrimental algae known as Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) has been identified in the Gunpowder River below Prettyboy Dam. This algae, also known as 'rock snot', can have negative impacts on stream biota such as aquatic insects. It can also hinder reproduction of trout and other fish species.
Anglers and boaters are asked to take the same precautions that were suggested for containing whirling disease and other invasive species.
- Scrub all gear to remove mud and plants
- Drain all water from bilges and livewells, don't move water from one area to another
- We recommend the use of new 'sticky rubber' wading boots to facilitate cleaning, if you must use felts allow them to dry completely before moving to another waterbody
- Additional Disinfection Methods for Fishing Gear
Other useful web pages with information pertaining to didymo include:
Currently raises a majority of the fish for Maryland's freshwater trout fishery, check out the hatchery through the video provided. If you can't view the embedded video just go to YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZlTJno8Of0.
The DNR trout stocking program is funded entirely by the sale of freshwater fishing licenses, trout stamps and Federal Sportfish Restoration Program (Wallop-Breaux) funds which are generated by anglers and boaters' tax dollars.