Trout Streams & Rivers

From limestone spring creeks to freestone mountain runs, Maryland offers remarkably diverse trout fishing for every skill level.

Hidden Gem

Little Gunpowder Falls

A quieter tributary of the main stem, holding browns into summer with lighter pressure. Ideal for exploring with an ultralight rod and small dry flies.

📍 Harford County 🎣 Brown Trout
Accessible

Patuxent River

The most convenient option for central Maryland anglers. Stocked throughout the trout season with easy access and family-friendly stretches in Howard County.

📍 Howard County 🎣 Stocked Rainbow
Trophy Water

North Branch Potomac

A productive tailwater below Jennings Randolph Lake. Consistent flows and cold temperatures hold large rainbows year-round, including through the heart of winter.

📍 Garrett County 🎣 Rainbow Trout
Scenic

Big Hunting Creek

Flowing through Catoctin Mountain Park. Tight casting, classic Appalachian scenery, abundant summer hatches, and an established population of wild brown trout.

📍 Frederick County 🎣 Wild Brown Trout
Wild Trout

Savage River

A remote freestone gem in Garrett County. Native brook trout thrive in the cold, hemlock-shaded headwaters — demanding wading rewarded by pristine wilderness.

📍 Garrett County 🎣 Native Brook Trout
Catch & Release

Gunpowder River

Maryland’s most celebrated tailwater. Cold, clear water below Prettyboy Dam holds a dense population of wild browns and rainbows, with exceptional hatches spring through fall.

📍 Baltimore County 🎣 Wild Brown & Rainbow

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