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Fishing in Bethesda, MD

Maryland, United States

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Want trophy-size catches? These Bethesda spots deliver

Top fish species in Bethesda

Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass

Latest Bethesda fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

Lake Thoreau

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Huntsman Lake

length · weight

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Bluegill

Bens Branch

length · weight

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Hybrid striped bass

Lake Barcroft

19 in · 4 lb

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Crevalle jack

Bens Branch

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Chevy Chase Lake

9 in · 1 lb

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Largemouth bass

Fallsmead Pond

7 in · 3 oz

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Largemouth bass

Tidal Basin

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Pavillion Lake

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Largemouth bass

Lake Nirvana

11 in · 1 lb

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About Bethesda fishing

Check out the best fishing spots in and around Bethesda, Maryland. Anglers using Fishbrain have logged: 54,944 catches for Largemouth bass, 10,433 catches for Bluegill, and 8,837 catches for Blue catfish.

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Fishing regulations in Bethesda

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Maryland can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of April 1st, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Closed

Bag limit

5

Min size

12"

Measurement

Total Length

Aggregate

5
A person may not catch or attempt to catch game or freshwater fish without first obtaining an angler's license in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-604, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Possession limit = 10 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in aggregate.

Exceptions:

St. Mary's Lake, Maryland Route 5, St. Mary's County:

  • A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
  • A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
  • A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.

Little Seneca Lake, Montgomery County:

  • A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
  • A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
  • A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.

Johnson Pond, Wicomico County:

  • A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
  • A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
  • A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.

Leonard Mill Pond, Wicomico County:

  • A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
  • A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
  • A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.

Lake Hashawha in Carroll County: Any fish caught must immediately be returned to the water where taken. You may not keep or possess any fish while fishing in these areas.

Upper John Owings Pond in Carroll County: Any fish caught must immediately be returned to the water where taken. You may not keep or possess any fish while fishing in these areas.

Waterworks Park in Anne Arundel County: Any fish caught must immediately be returned to the water where taken. You may not keep or possess any fish while fishing in these areas.

Potomac River from Dam No. 2 (Seneca Breaks) upstream to the mouth of the Monocacy River: All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas. 

Monocacy River from the Potomac River upstream to Buckeystown Dam: All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas. 

Patapsco River from Interstate 70 downstream to Maryland Route 144 (Frederick Road): All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas. 

North Branch of the Potomac River, from the spillway in Cumberland upstream 25 miles to the U.S. Route 220 Bridge at Keyser, West Virginia: All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas. 


Youghiogheny River Lake:

From January 1 through the day before the first Saturday after April 11:

  • minimum size = 15-inches total length;
  • daily catch limit = 4 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.

From 12:01 a.m. the first Saturday after April 11 through 12:01 a.m. the first Saturday after June 11:

  • season is closed (no harvest)

From the first Saturday after June 11 through October 31:

  • minimum size = 12-inches total length;
  • daily catch limit = 6 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.

From November 1 through December 31:

  • minimum size = 15-inches total length;
  • daily catch limit = 4 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

38°59′11.8″N 77°07′7.7″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ about Bethesda fishing

Anglers in Bethesda, MD recommend these top fishing spots: Potomac River, Potomac River (DC), Four Mile Run, Patuxent River, and Four Mile Run (DC).
Most commonly caught species around Bethesda, MD:
The latest Bethesda, MD fishing reports are:
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Other cities near Bethesda

North Bethesda

3.6 miles away

Potomac

4.5 miles away

McLean

5.0 miles away

Silver Spring

5.4 miles away

Wheaton

5.4 miles away

Takoma Park

6.2 miles away

Kemp Mill

6.4 miles away

Glenmont

6.9 miles away

Rockville

7.0 miles away

Tysons

7.4 miles away

Langley Park

7.4 miles away

Arlington

7.5 miles away

Aspen Hill

7.6 miles away

Chillum

7.6 miles away

Falls Church

7.7 miles away

Washington

7.9 miles away

White Oak

7.9 miles away

Idylwood

8.2 miles away

Adelphi

8.3 miles away

Travilah

8.4 miles away

Colesville

8.7 miles away

Hyattsville

9.0 miles away

West Falls Church

9.2 miles away

Wolf Trap

9.5 miles away