Every year more than 50 million Americans will go saltwater or freshwater fishing. These five great fishing spots will help families experience the pleasure and the mental and physical benefits of fishing.
Charlie Ebersberger, the owner of Anglers Sports Center, one of the area’s largest outfitters for fishing and boating, has seen a noted increase in traffic since reopening on May 1. “We’ve seen at least a 30-percent increase in interest from beginner anglers and families that want to teach their kids to fish,” Ebersberger says.
BIG BOOK OF EDUCATION ISSUE 2023
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Whether you borrow some fishing poles from the library or invest in your own, this outdoor hobby is sure to create lasting memories. If you’re not sure where to begin, this list is a great starting point.
These five fishing spots boast natural beauty, tranquility, and the possibility of a big catch. If you’re looking for more great places to find fish, read our 6 Spots to Take the Kids Fishing in Maryland.
1. Loch Raven Reservoir
12101 Dulaney Valley Road, Phoenix | 410-887-7692
This 2,400-acre reserve just outside of Towson is teeming with large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, white perch, crappie, pickerel, walleye, catfish, yellow perch and northern pike. At the fully equipped fishing center, anglers can rent rods, tackle, kayaks and small boats. Food and sundries are also available.
![Loch Raven Reservoir](https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Loch_Raven_Reservoir.jpg)
2. Centennial Lake
10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City | 410-313-7303
This 50-acre impoundment of the Little Patuxent River is popular with families due to its accessibility, variety of fish, and amenities at Centennial Park. The lake has large mouth bass, tiger muskie, panfish, channel catfish, and rainbow trout, and is regularly stocked each season from area hatcheries. Centennial Lake also hosts summer programs including ‘learn to fish’ workshops for kids and adults, fishing tournaments, and a popular ‘Nite Bites’ fishing program in the summer that allows anglers to fish up until 11 p.m.
![Centennial Lake](https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Centennial_Lake.jpg)
3. Wye Mills Lake
14214 Old Wye Mills Road, Wye Mills | 410-820-1668
Just fifteen miles from the Bay Bridge, this 50-acre lake in Wye Mills is one of the largest freshwater ponds on the Eastern Shore. Established in colonial times in order to divert water for power at a grain mill, the lake’s bucolic setting and nearby attractions like the historic Wye Mill, make this a great destination for families. With largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish, common carp, yellow perch, gizzard shad, and golden shiners, anglers can catch a variety of fish all year long. Parts of the lake abut private property, but kids can find room to fish along the shore near the Old Wye Grist Mill and Museum.
![Wye Mills Lake](https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Wye_Mills_Lake.jpg)
4. Waterworks Park
260 Defense Highway, Annapolis | 410-263-7958
Just a mile from Annapolis mall on Defense Highway, Waterworks Park is one of the area’s best-kept secrets and a great spot for beginner anglers. The three freshwater fishing ponds are stocked with bass, and are catch and release only. A permit, which can be purchased through the Annapolis Department of Parks and Recreation, is required for entrance to the park, and anglers must bring their own rods and tackle. A nature-lover’s paradise, visitors regularly spot beavers, heron and other wildlife near the ponds and the 600 acres of biking and hiking trails make it a great choice for families looking for a tranquil escape.
5. Kings Landing Park
3255 Kings Landing Road, Huntingtown | 410-535-2661
With a two-hundred-foot fishing pier that stretches into the Patuxent River, Kings Landing Park in Calvert County is a picturesque spot to cast for bass, catfish, chain pickerel and bluefish. A former YMCA camp, Kings Landing has amenities like canoe and kayak access, a boardwalk that meanders through marshland, hiking trails through meadows and forests, and full picnic facilities.
Resources for Fishing with the Family
For tips and fishing reports, check out these sources:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
410-260-8367
Find information on state fishing laws, purchase permits or research state parks with fishing options.
Anglers Sports Center
410-757-3442
One of the area’s largest outfitters, the site contains fishing tutorials, weekly reports, and online seminars for the beginning and expert fisherman.
TakeMeFishing.org
The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation nonprofit whose mission is to promote fishing and boating, the site has dozens of videos, articles and fishing maps by state.
Tips for Fishing Beginners
Do I need a license?
Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a license to sport fish/crab.
Adults, however, most likely need one. To find all the details, depending on where you’re heading check out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
By Katie Riley