Fishing
This region is an exceptional sportfishing paradise. For generations sportsmen from all over the eastern seaboard have gravitated to this area to take advantage of the great fishing. Fish the unsurpassed myriad of coastal bays, saltwater creeks, open bays including both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Compete in one of the world class tournaments held here.
The most sought after saltwater fish include tuna, white marlin, maco, flounder, striped bass (rockfish), sea trout, sea bass, bluefish, croaker, spot and red drum. Ocean City, known as the "white marlin capital of the world" offers great charter boat or party boat fishing opportunities.
Fish the Chesapeake Bay one day and the coastal bays the next. Try your luck at surf casting. No fishing license is required for the ocean or coastal bays, while the Chesapeake Bay does require a sport license.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Fishing
Cast bucktails or plugs along the shoreline for Chesapeake Bay stripers. Baitfish in deep holes or troll deep running lures along edges. Take advantage of the many area charter and party boats for an assortment of seasonal species.
Freshwater fish can be found in the many ponds, small lakes and tidal creeks located across the Eastern Shore. Largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, catfish and a variety of panfish are all here. Reel in striped bass (rockfish) the state fish, from many of the tidal rivers and creeks that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Fish along the Pocomoke River for largemouth bass and crappie in the spring. Summer is good for catfish and panfish, and fall brings on rockfish and perch. A day spent fishing on an Eastern Shore pond or river offers a fisherman an exceptional outdoor experience. A valid license is required for all freshwater fishing.
Fish the Pocomoke River north of Snow Hill for bass, crappie, catfish and striped bass. Watch for big gar fish as they occasionally roll near the surface. Contact the local state fish and game office or visit local tackle shops to find the hot spots. Numerous state, county and private boat ramps are scattered throughout the region for your convenience.
Join a party boat to wreckfish in the Atlantic Ocean. Mates will help you rig up your gear and clean your catch. Visit Deal Island or Crisfield and get on one of the local charter boats to fish for croaker and sea trout and learn from the best.
In the spring fly fish for shad, the poor man's tarpon or catch herring on light tackle. Also, try to land the primitive alligator gar without destroying your tackle. Need maps?
Contact the tourism offices below:
The most sought after saltwater fish include tuna, white marlin, maco, flounder, striped bass (rockfish), sea trout, sea bass, bluefish, croaker, spot and red drum. Ocean City, known as the "white marlin capital of the world" offers great charter boat or party boat fishing opportunities.
Fish the Chesapeake Bay one day and the coastal bays the next. Try your luck at surf casting. No fishing license is required for the ocean or coastal bays, while the Chesapeake Bay does require a sport license.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Fishing
Cast bucktails or plugs along the shoreline for Chesapeake Bay stripers. Baitfish in deep holes or troll deep running lures along edges. Take advantage of the many area charter and party boats for an assortment of seasonal species.
Freshwater fish can be found in the many ponds, small lakes and tidal creeks located across the Eastern Shore. Largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, catfish and a variety of panfish are all here. Reel in striped bass (rockfish) the state fish, from many of the tidal rivers and creeks that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Fish along the Pocomoke River for largemouth bass and crappie in the spring. Summer is good for catfish and panfish, and fall brings on rockfish and perch. A day spent fishing on an Eastern Shore pond or river offers a fisherman an exceptional outdoor experience. A valid license is required for all freshwater fishing.
Fish the Pocomoke River north of Snow Hill for bass, crappie, catfish and striped bass. Watch for big gar fish as they occasionally roll near the surface. Contact the local state fish and game office or visit local tackle shops to find the hot spots. Numerous state, county and private boat ramps are scattered throughout the region for your convenience.
Join a party boat to wreckfish in the Atlantic Ocean. Mates will help you rig up your gear and clean your catch. Visit Deal Island or Crisfield and get on one of the local charter boats to fish for croaker and sea trout and learn from the best.
In the spring fly fish for shad, the poor man's tarpon or catch herring on light tackle. Also, try to land the primitive alligator gar without destroying your tackle. Need maps?
Contact the tourism offices below:
Boating on the Lower Eastern Shore
Bays and waterways are the most distinct features of the region. If you agree with the Eastern Shore axiom "that one cannot have too many boats" then welcome! Even if you don't have your own boat, borrow or rent one.
Start small and explore the numerous creeks, swamps, rivers and bays. Grab a map, rent a canoe and head to any one of the tidal rivers that flows into the Chesapeake or coastal bays.
Sailing is part of the regional cultural heritage. Once bugeye, skipjacks and log canoes plied our waterways, harvesting seafood or delivering supplies. Sail the bay and listen for the distant rumble of ghost cannon from historic sea battles fought long ago.
Boats can be rented in several parks and marinas located throughout the region. There are also a number of tour boats that operate in the area including Ocean City, Crisfield, Janes Island and on the Pocmoke River (check county tourism offices).
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Boating
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: State Parks
Visit the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, the largest on the Chesapeake Bay. Walk down to the old "ferry dock" in Crisfield about noon and watch as boats are loaded with food, furniture and travelers on their way to Smith and Tangier Islands. Drive to Deal Island once called "Devils Island" in colonial days and check out the skipjacks there, (the last left of their kind). Area museums such as the Tawes Musuem in Crisfield, The Lifesaving Station Museum in Ocean City or the Smith Island Visitor Center have great regional maritime exhibits.
For a great day on the Bay, jump on one of the several tour boats that carry foot passengers out to isolated Smith Island, the home of traditional fishermen for over three hundred years. Also catch the small Whitehaven car/bike ferry across the Wicomico River, the oldest continuous ferry in the country. Or rent a canoe on Assateague.
Start small and explore the numerous creeks, swamps, rivers and bays. Grab a map, rent a canoe and head to any one of the tidal rivers that flows into the Chesapeake or coastal bays.
Sailing is part of the regional cultural heritage. Once bugeye, skipjacks and log canoes plied our waterways, harvesting seafood or delivering supplies. Sail the bay and listen for the distant rumble of ghost cannon from historic sea battles fought long ago.
Boats can be rented in several parks and marinas located throughout the region. There are also a number of tour boats that operate in the area including Ocean City, Crisfield, Janes Island and on the Pocmoke River (check county tourism offices).
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Boating
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: State Parks
Visit the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, the largest on the Chesapeake Bay. Walk down to the old "ferry dock" in Crisfield about noon and watch as boats are loaded with food, furniture and travelers on their way to Smith and Tangier Islands. Drive to Deal Island once called "Devils Island" in colonial days and check out the skipjacks there, (the last left of their kind). Area museums such as the Tawes Musuem in Crisfield, The Lifesaving Station Museum in Ocean City or the Smith Island Visitor Center have great regional maritime exhibits.
For a great day on the Bay, jump on one of the several tour boats that carry foot passengers out to isolated Smith Island, the home of traditional fishermen for over three hundred years. Also catch the small Whitehaven car/bike ferry across the Wicomico River, the oldest continuous ferry in the country. Or rent a canoe on Assateague.
Outfitters:
Pocomoke River State Park
3461 Worcester Highway, Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-2566
Assateague Outfitters
12003 Bayside Dr, Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 656-9453
Ayers Creek Adventures
Tripadvisor
8628 Grey Fox Ln, Berlin, MD 21811
(443) 513-0889
3461 Worcester Highway, Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-2566
Assateague Outfitters
12003 Bayside Dr, Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 656-9453
Ayers Creek Adventures
Tripadvisor
8628 Grey Fox Ln, Berlin, MD 21811
(443) 513-0889