Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Maryland
Fish to Catch in Maryland
Big bass, blue cats, pure Maryland mayhem.
FISHYAF
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Top 10 Species
Meet the ten species that earned their spot on this list. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
2
Blue Catfish
Verified
World Record
143 lb 0 oz
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Signature Fact
World record: 143 pounds-hook one and the first surge can shove a jon boat sideways.
3
Northern Snakehead
Verified
World Record
19 lb 5 oz
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Signature Fact
This air-breathing predator can wriggle over land and stay alive for days if kept moist.
4
Black Crappie
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
5 lb 7 oz
Lionel Ferguson / 2018
Richeison Pond, Tennessee
Lionel Ferguson / 2018
Richeison Pond, Tennessee
Signature Fact
During spawn, males can shift from silvery speckles to almost jet-black while fanning and ferociously guarding saucer nests.
5
Bluegill
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
4 lb 12 oz
T.S. Hudson / 1950
Ketona Lake, Alabama
T.S. Hudson / 1950
Ketona Lake, Alabama
Signature Fact
Males come in three types-nest-building dads, lightning-fast sneakers, and full-on female mimics that steal fertilizations.
6
Shoal Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
8 lb 12 oz
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Signature Fact
Shoal bass is the only black bass built for whitewater, holding in frothing rapids that would sweep others.
7
Chain Pickerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
Signature Fact
Newly hatched pickerel have a built‑in "Velcro" forehead pad that glues them to plants until the yolk's gone.
8
Flathead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
123 lb 0 oz
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Signature Fact
The IGFA all-tackle record flathead weighed 123 lb 9 oz-basically a kindergarten kid with whiskers.
9
Spotted Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 4 oz
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Signature Fact
Spotted bass hunt like saltwater wolves, schooling to push bait into balls, then blitzing the surface together.
10
Sauger
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
8 lb 12 oz
Rick R. Pruitt / 1998
Lake of the Woods, Minnesota
Rick R. Pruitt / 1998
Lake of the Woods, Minnesota
Signature Fact
Its eggs are semi‑buoyant river drifters, tumbling miles downstream before settling-percids rarely pinball their embryos.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Maryland?
You can catch largemouth bass, blue catfish, northern snakehead, black black-crappie, bluegill, and more across Maryland’s freshwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Maryland?
Spring through fall brings the most active bites for most freshwater species in Maryland.
Where are the best places to fish in Maryland?
Maryland’s freshwater rivers, creeks, and reservoirs all hold opportunities for species like bass, catfish, and black-crappie.
What gear do you need for fishing in Maryland?
A medium spinning or baitcasting setup covers most Maryland freshwater targets, from panfish to bass and catfish.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Maryland?
Bluegill and black black-crappie are some of the most accessible catches in Maryland’s freshwater.
