Central Region Tidal Fisheries

Maryland DNR Freshwater Fisheries central region biologists are responsible for the management and assessment of tidal freshwater fisheries in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County. In central region, over 500 miles of shoreline offer a variety of fishing opportunities, including black bass, northern snakehead, catfish, striped bass, perch, sunfish, and shad.

Largemouth bass populations are one of the most important resources for sport fish anglers in Maryland tidewater. Approximately half of Maryland's freshwater anglers fished for bass in 2020, according to a DNR Outdoor Recreation Survey. Additionally, revenue from competitive bass fishing tournaments contributes millions of dollars into Maryland's economy each year. As part of DNR's annual tidal bass survey, central region biologists sample at least 50 stations per year throughout the Patapsco, Back, Middle, Bush, Gunpowder, and Susquehanna Rivers, the latter being one of the state's premier tidal bass fisheries. Additional information about Maryland DNR's Tidal Bass Program, including annual reviews, stock assessments, education and outreach, and tournament assistance can be found on the Tidal Bass Program's webpage at the link below.

Fishing for invasive species has become increasingly popular within central region's tidal waters, with anglers able to target blue catfish, northern snakehead, and flathead catfish. Fishing for these species can be especially productive in the tidal portion of the Susquehanna River, from Conowingo Dam downriver to the Susquehanna Flats. Central region biologists have assisted the Invasive Fishes Program staff with monitoring and sorting invasive fishes captured in the fish lifts at Conowingo Dam in an ongoing effort to prevent range expansion above the dam. More information on the Invasive Fishes Program, including identification of these species, regulations, and impacts, can be found on the Invasive Fishes Program webpage at the link below.

Central region staff routinely encounter a wide variety of additional popular angling species during their annual tidal black bass surveys. While not the primary goal of the study, these encounters provide the biologists with valuable information on the distribution and condition of these fisheries. Routinely encountered fish species include channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, striped bass, yellow perch, white perch, and chain pickerel. Central region biologists have also encountered walleye, bowfin, white catfish, shad, red drum, croaker, spot, and other primarily saltwater species during these surveys. More information on these fisheries can be found on DNR's Fisheries Programs webpage by following the link below. Additional resources for fishing in central region, including the Angler's Log and Angler Access Map, can be found at the bottom of the page.