Top Spots for Fishing in Maryland

By RVshare

Last updated September 15th, 2026

Fishing

Fishing in Maryland is a fun outdoor adventure for just about anyone. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport, the Free State has terrific opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Maryland’s official fishing access map lists more than 500 fishing locations across the ocean, bays, and freshwater.

In one trip, you can troll for walleye at Deep Creek Lake in the mountains, wade Deer Creek for stocked trout, cast for tidal largemouth bass on the Potomac, and book an offshore charter out of Ocean City. Those places are hours apart, which is where an RV helps. You can camp at state parks with boat ramps a short walk from your site, carry freshwater and saltwater gear in one rig, and move between regions without repacking.

Anglers 16 and older need a valid Maryland fishing license.

Table of Contents

Best Places for RV Fishing in Maryland

Fishing spot	Best for	RV camping experience	Good to know
Youghiogheny River Reservoir	Walleye, smallmouth	Lakefront full-hookup sites (PA side)	Drawn down by fall
Deep Creek Lake	Walleye, pike, families	State park, electric sites	Bear country
Liberty Reservoir	Kayak and bank anglers	No camping; day trip	Boat permit required
Centennial Lake	Beginners, kids	No camping; day trip	Wildlife area closed to fishing
Patapsco River	Wading, trout	State park campground closed	Stocked trout
Deer Creek	Fly anglers, spring shad	State park, few electric sites	Spring stocking closures
Potomac River	Tidal bass, blue catfish	State park, water and electric	Tidal license needed
Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay	Bay charters, groups	Private campground, full hookups	Striped bass closed in August
Ocean City	Offshore and surf	Oceanfront state park	White marlin in summer

Fishing Spots in Maryland

Here are some of the best fishing spots in Maryland. You can fish for a variety of species, and you’ll enjoy Maryland’s landscape and scenery while you’re out.

Youghiogheny River Reservoir

The Youghiogheny River Reservoir is a 2,800-acre man-made reservoir with 38 miles of shoreline. It straddles the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, running 16 miles from just north of Friendsville, Maryland, to the dam in Confluence, Pennsylvania. The fish habitat is excellent, with submerged timber, rocky shorelines, boat docks, and shallow weed beds. Water levels fluctuate, though, and by fall the reservoir is often nearly drawn down.

Smallmouth bass fishing is the main draw, and the reservoir has a naturally reproducing walleye population. Crappie and northern pike can reach trophy size. You’ll also find yellow perch, channel catfish, bluegill, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, and hybrid striped bass.

Maryland and Pennsylvania have a cooperative agreement, so boat anglers can fish the whole lake with either state’s license. Shoreline anglers need the license for the state they’re standing in.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run, on the Pennsylvania end of the lake near Confluence.
Fishing access: Lakeside Loop sites sit directly on the water, and the campground has a boat ramp.
Hookups: All Creekside Loop sites have full hookups. The Lakeside Loop mixes full-hookup, 50-amp, and rustic sites. There’s a bathhouse with hot showers and a dump station.
RV size: Sites range from 35 to 55 feet.
Second option: Kentuck Campground at nearby Ohiopyle State Park has electric sites, shower houses, and a dump station.
Best for: Boat anglers after walleye and smallmouth bass.

Deep Creek Lake

With over 3,800 acres and 69 miles of shoreline, Deep Creek Lake is Maryland’s largest freshwater lake and one of its best fishing spots. It sits about 10 miles northeast of Oakland in Garrett County. Walleye and smallmouth bass are abundant, largemouth bass tend to run large, and northern pike over 40 inches are caught regularly. The lake also holds chain pickerel, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and stocked trout. When the ice allows, Maryland DNR calls it the state’s premier ice fishing destination.

Nearly all of the shoreline is state-owned, so bank anglers can fish once they reach the public buffer strip. Enter at a public access point and stay clear of private docks.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Deep Creek Lake State Park, on the lake’s shore.
Fishing access: The park has the lake’s main public boat launch. Campers also get free boat trailer parking and overnight dock slip use.
Hookups: 26 of the 112 sites have electric. There are no water or sewer hookups at sites, but the campground has heated bathhouses, a dump station, and a water fill-up station.
RV size: The largest sites fit rigs up to about 40 feet. Many sites are smaller.
Season: Mid-April through mid-December. Reservations are required from late May through mid-September.
Good to know: Each site has a wildlife-resistant food storage box. Keep food and trash locked up.
Best for: Families who want fishing and beach time in one stop.

Liberty Reservoir

Located near Marriottsville, Liberty Reservoir is another excellent spot for fishing in Maryland. This 3,100-acre Baltimore City water-supply reservoir holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, white perch, and a naturally reproducing striped bass population. The walleye fishery is strong, too, and DNR surveys have turned up a 12-pound fish.

Boats are limited to paddling, rowing, or battery-powered motors, which makes the reservoir a good fit for canoe and kayak anglers. Every boat needs a seasonal permit from Baltimore City, and boaters must agree to use that boat only on Liberty, Loch Raven, and Prettyboy reservoirs to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. Shoreline fishing is permitted, and more than 80 miles of shoreline give you plenty of room. You can also hike, birdwatch, and take nature photos on the surrounding watershed lands.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: The reservoir has no campground. Patapsco Valley State Park’s Hollofield campground is nearby but closed for renovations. For now, plan Liberty as a day trip from a private campground such as Capitol KOA in Millersville.
Fishing access: Shoreline access points around the reservoir. Boat launching requires the city permit.
RV access: Leave the RV at camp and drive a tow vehicle or car to the access points.
Best for: Kayak anglers and bank anglers.

Centennial Lake

Centennial Lake is another excellent fishing spot in Maryland. Nestled between Columbia, Ellicott City, and Clarksville, it’s a 50-acre man-made lake that’s ideal for shore fishing. Largemouth bass are abundant, and rainbow trout are stocked. You also have the chance to land channel catfish, tiger musky, pumpkinseed sunfish, and bluegill. A buoy line marks a wildlife area on part of the lake, and you cannot fish beyond it.

A paved 2.6-mile path circles the lake, and boat rentals are available from late spring through early fall.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Day trip from Capitol KOA in Millersville.
Fishing access: Shoreline path, public boat ramp, and seasonal boat rentals.
Hours: The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset.
RV access: This is a county park with standard lots. Bring the tow vehicle or car.
Best for: Beginners and kids.

Patapsco River

The Patapsco River provides good fishing and is ideal for wading. Its shallow, rocky riffles and slow pools run through central Maryland, and Patapsco Valley State Park follows 32 miles of the river. Stocked rainbow trout and smallmouth bass are the main targets, along with rock bass and redbreast sunfish. Hickory shad and American shad also run the river.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: The Hollofield campground in Patapsco Valley State Park is closed for renovations, with no reopening date posted. Until it reopens, fish the Patapsco as a day trip from Capitol KOA in Millersville.
When Hollofield reopens: It has 73 sites, some with electric hookups. RVs taller than 11 feet, 1 inch must use the Route 40 East entrance.
Fishing access: Wade in from trails and day-use areas throughout the park.
Best for: Wading and fly anglers.

Deer Creek

When deciding where to fish in Maryland, you can’t go wrong with Deer Creek. This 52.9-mile-long river runs through the Hidden Valley Natural Area and Rocks State Park in Harford County, and empties into the Susquehanna River at Susquehanna State Park. It’s a designated Maryland Scenic River.

Rainbow trout are stocked in spring in the put-and-take section around Rocks State Park. Smallmouth bass are the target as the water warms, and hickory shad run up the lower creek in spring.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Susquehanna State Park, near the mouth of the creek.
Fishing access: Pull-off parking along lower Deer Creek on Stafford Bridge Road and Craigs Corner Road, the same road as the campground. Upper creek access is at the gravel lot at Rocks State Park’s Wilson’s Picnic Area.
Hookups: Six of the 69 sites have electric. Each loop has a comfort station with hot showers, and there’s a dump station near registration.
RV size: Sites fit rigs up to about 30 feet.
Season: May through the last weekend in October.
Best for: Fly anglers and spring shad fishing.

Potomac River

The Potomac River flows more than 380 miles from its source at the Fairfax Stone in West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay. Its tidal section is well known for largemouth bass and now holds huge numbers of blue catfish. You can also land striped bass, white and yellow perch, channel catfish, carp, and northern snakehead, which Maryland DNR now calls Chesapeake Channa. Blue catfish and snakehead are both invasive, and DNR encourages anglers to target them.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Smallwood State Park, on Mattawoman Creek, a tidal Potomac tributary.
Fishing access: Sweden Point Marina has boat ramps, and the park has fishing piers and shoreline access.
Hookups: All 18 sites have 50-amp electric and water. There’s a bathhouse with hot showers and a dump station.
Supplies: The seasonal General’s Store sells live bait and ice and has ethanol-free gas at the dock, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
RV size: Sites fit rigs up to about 30 feet.
Best for: Bass anglers with boats.

Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay

Annapolis is another fantastic destination for a fishing trip in Maryland. This historic city, known as America’s Sailing Capital, sits on the Chesapeake Bay with access to plenty of inshore fishing.

Striped bass are the headline fish, but seasons are tightly managed, and the Bay is closed to all striped bass fishing in August. Bluefish, croaker, spot, and white perch fill in through summer, and in late summer Spanish mackerel, red drum, and speckled trout move into the middle Bay. The shallower water on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a good place for spot, croaker, and white perch.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Washington DC/Capitol KOA Holiday in Millersville, about 20 minutes from downtown Annapolis.
Hookups: Full-hookup pull-through and back-in sites with up to 50-amp service. Hot showers and laundry on site.
RV size: Sites fit rigs up to 70 feet.
Season: Open all year.
Fishing access: Book a charter out of Annapolis or fish the Bay Bridge area. Leave the RV at camp and drive into town.
Best for: Charter trips and groups with non-anglers.

Ocean City

Ocean City is one of the top destinations for fishing in Maryland. Known as the White Marlin Capital of the World, it hosts the White Marlin Open each August, and its charter fleet runs trips for every type of angler. From wading the shallows for flounder to heading offshore for tuna, marlin, and sharks, the city offers fishing for everyone.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Assateague State Park, on the barrier island just south of Ocean City.
Fishing access: Surf fish from the beach outside the swim area, or fish the bay side of the island.
Hookups: One camping loop has 30-amp electric. There are no water or sewer hookups at sites, but the campground has bathhouses with hot showers, a dump station, and a water fill station.
Season: April through October. Reservations open a year ahead, and electric sites book quickly.
Good to know: Wild horses roam the campground. Keep food secured.
Best for: Surf anglers and families. Drive into Ocean City for charters.

How to Plan an RV Fishing Trip in Maryland

Here are some tips for planning an RV fishing trip in Maryland.

Choose an RV-Friendly Base Camp

Book early: Maryland state parks take reservations up to a year ahead, and electric sites at Deep Creek Lake and Assateague fill first.
Check hookups: Most state park sites in this guide are electric-only. Arrive with a full fresh water tank and plan your dump station stops.
Check length limits: Several state park campgrounds top out around 30 to 40 feet. Confirm your rig fits the specific site before you book.
Check park status: Campgrounds close for renovations. Patapsco Valley’s Hollofield campground is one example. Maryland DNR’s park status dashboard lists current closures.
Group your waters: You can easily get to Deep Creek Lake and the Youghiogheny Reservoir from one Garrett County base. Deer Creek and the lower Susquehanna share a campground. Liberty, Centennial, the Patapsco, and Annapolis all work as day trips from the Baltimore-Annapolis corridor.

Pack Your RV for a Fishing Trip

Be sure to bring these items along for a Maryland fishing trip.

Two tackle setups: Light gear for trout and smallmouth, heavier gear for the Bay and surf.
Non-offset circle hooks: Required in Maryland when using bait to target striped bass.
Waders or wading boots: For the Patapsco and Deer Creek.
Kayak or canoe: For Liberty Reservoir (with a permit) and Centennial Lake.
Large cooler: For keeping your catch cold on the drive back to camp.
Warm layers: Mornings in Garrett County can be cool even in summer.
Insect repellent: Especially for the coast and tidal marshes.
Drinking-water hose: For topping off at fill stations at electric-only sites.

Know Before You Go

Licenses: Anglers 16 and older need a license. Use a nontidal license for freshwater and a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License for the Bay, the tidal Potomac, and Ocean City. A trout stamp is also required to catch or keep trout in nontidal waters. Buy licenses on the MD Outdoors site.
Free fishing days: No license is needed on the first two Saturdays in June and on July 4.
Striped bass: The Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries are closed to all striped bass fishing in August. During harvest seasons, the limit is one fish between 19 and 24 inches. The Potomac River’s main stem is managed separately by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.
Seasonal closures: Deer Creek’s put-and-take trout section closes twice each spring for stocking. Deep Creek Lake is closed to walleye harvest from March 1 through April 15.
Two-state water: At the Youghiogheny Reservoir, boat anglers can use a Maryland or Pennsylvania license. Shore anglers need the license for the state they’re in.

Rules change often, so check the Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing before you go.

Find an RV for Your Maryland Fishing Trip

Maryland’s best fishing runs from the mountains to the ocean, and an RV makes a multi-area trip simple. An RV also allows you to stay close to various lakes and rivers so you can be on the water first thing in the morning. You can easily carry all your gear, including bulky items like rods, waders, and even a kayak. An RV also allows you to cook your catch at camp the same day you caught it. Finally, if you’re RVing, you can travel with a group. If some people aren’t interested in fishing, they can check out the Naval Academy, the Ocean City boardwalk, or Assateague’s wild horses.

Find your RV for a Maryland fishing trip with RVshare.