Map

Fishing in Columbia, MD

Maryland, United States

App Section

Want trophy-size catches? These Columbia spots deliver

Top fish species in Columbia

Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
Striped bass
Striped bass

Latest Columbia fishing reports

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Hybrid striped bass

Lake Barcroft

19 in · 4 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Chevy Chase Lake

9 in · 1 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Fallsmead Pond

7 in · 3 oz

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Tidal Basin

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Lake Nirvana

11 in · 1 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Chain pickerel

Freedom Park

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Lake Bernard Frank

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Rainbow trout

12 in · 1 lb

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

About Columbia fishing

Check out the best fishing spots in and around Columbia, Maryland. Anglers using Fishbrain have logged: 36,410 catches for Largemouth bass, 7,914 catches for Bluegill, and 6,336 catches for Channel catfish.

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Unlock fishing secrets in the app

Discover the best time to fish by species in your area with Bitetime™

Bite time image

Fishing regulations in Columbia

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

39°12′1.4″N 76°51′32.4″W
Regulations in the map
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ about Columbia fishing

Anglers in Columbia, MD recommend these top fishing spots: Patuxent River, Patapsco River, Triadelphia Reservoir, Liberty Reservoir, and Lake Elkhorn.
Most commonly caught species around Columbia, MD:
Download the and see today's Fishing and Weather Forecast for Columbia, MD. We give you weather trends and help you find the perfect window to catch your next personal best. With Fishbrain Pro, you will get the following capabilities:
  • Plan smarter: Get hour-by-hour fishing weather conditions.
  • Fish at peak times: Use BiteTime™ predictions to maximize catches.
  • Stay ahead of the weather: Get hyper-local, real-time updates.

Other cities near Columbia

North Laurel

5.0 miles away

Ilchester

5.0 miles away

Ellicott City

5.5 miles away

Elkridge

6.2 miles away

Laurel

7.3 miles away

Maryland City

7.4 miles away

Catonsville

7.7 miles away

Woodlawn

9.3 miles away

Arbutus

9.4 miles away

Fairland

9.7 miles away

South Laurel

9.7 miles away

Severn

9.8 miles away

Cloverly

9.9 miles away

Calverton

11.0 miles away

Milford Mill

11.1 miles away

Beltsville

11.6 miles away

Colesville

11.6 miles away

Olney

12.0 miles away

Ferndale

12.1 miles away

Lochearn

12.2 miles away

Randallstown

12.3 miles away

Odenton

12.8 miles away

White Oak

12.9 miles away

Brooklyn Park

13.0 miles away