Nestled around the mouth of the Patapsco River, over 150 miles into the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore was built on its incredible fishing and its strategic port location. Baltimore fishing charters can get you on a staggering mix of species depending on which way you head from the harbor. The river holds both saltwater and freshwater fish, depending how far upriver you go, and the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay are famous for their productive shoals and awesome backwaters.
And Baltimore has a lot more to offer than fish! If you only know the city from shows like “The Wire”, you may be surprised to find a beautiful historic center, full of quaint 18th-century buildings and monuments to the area’s past. In fact, a third of all buildings in town are on the national historic register. Baltimore has definitely earned the nickname “Charm City”.
Baltimore Fishing Spots
With a half-dozen different rivers and the whole of the Chesapeake Bay on your doorstep, you won’t have to travel far to find good fishing. There are some spots that local anglers can’t get enough of and here are a few you’ll probably hit on your trip.
Baltimore Harbor
When we said “right on your doorstep” we weren’t kidding. Baltimore Harbor fishing can get you on some incredible catches without ever leaving the city. Striped Bass top the bill here, but you can catch anything from Flounder to Catfish in these murky waters.
Patapsco River
You could spend a week fishing your way up the river and catch different species every day. The mouth is home to Seatrout, Flounder, Croakers, and more, feeding in the sediment-rich waters. The briny waters hold big Striped Bass, and freshwater spots upriver are home to Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Perch, and much more.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
If it’s trophy Stripers you’re after, you can’t miss fishing around Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The choppy waters around the piles are the perfect feeding ground for huge Rockfish (as they’re known locally). You can also find Bluefish here, and the deeper rocky bottom is a great place to find Black Seabass, Tautog, Flounder, and more.
Tea Kettle Shoals
The Chesapeake Bay has dozens of natural and artificial reefs, made up of oyster bars, sunken sailing ships, and shoals. The Tea Kettle Shoals are one of the largest, holding Stripers, Blues, Bass, Flounder, Tautog, Crab, and more. This is some of the best food fishing in the bay.
Canton Waterfront Park
After great shore fishing but don’t want to leave town? Fishing from the park can bag you a variety of inshore species. The best thing about fishing here is that you don’t even need a license to do so!
Fishing Techniques
People have been fishing out of Baltimore for centuries, and they’ve developed some tried and true ways to bring in big fish. Striped Bass are often caught by live lining, but if that sounds boring to you, you can try throwing topwater plugs or poppers. In fact, a variety of lures work wonders for these greedy feeders, and they’re all great fun on spinning gear.
If you’re fishing upriver, you can enjoy a great day’s fly fishing for Perch, Shad, Carp, and Stripers. You’ll need anything from a 5-weight to a 9-weight, depending on which fish you’re after. Top tip for Carp fishing - try baiting your hook with a few pieces of sweet corn if they keep ignoring your flies.
Out at the shoals, you can catch a huge range of species on live bait. Tautog, Flounder, Black Seabass, and much more will gobble up baits of Bunk, Spot, and Crab. Speaking of Crab, Blue Crab are one of the area’s favorite foods, and you can’t visit Maryland without trying them. Catch these tasty little guys in cages, or try trotlining from a charter boat to bring in a huge haul!
Need to Know
Fishing licenses are included on most Baltimore fishing charters. If you’re heading out on your own, fish from a license-free spot like Canton Park or pick up a license from the DNR’s website. The fishing seasons change regularly in the Chesapeake Bay, and the authorities may announce an early closure or a shortened season for many important species. It’s best to fish with a guide in order to stay within the rules, as different bodies of water have special seasons and limits. In particular, the catch limits on the Patapsco River vary depending on where you’re fishing.