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Federal Spring Branch

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Maryland, United States

5.0·5 catches

Top fish species at Federal Spring Branch

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Check which species have trophy potential in Federal Spring Branch

Federal Spring Branch fishing reports

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Northern snakehead

30 in · 9 lb

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Northern snakehead

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

14 in · 2 lb

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Chain pickerel

length · weight

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Creek chub

8 in · 5 oz

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General info

Federal Spring Branch is a stream located in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is most popular for fishing Northern snakehead, Chain pickerel, and Largemouth bass.

Location

38°48′58.1″N 76°46′6.1″W
Directions

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Federal Spring Branch?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Federal Spring Branch. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Federal Spring Branch, MD

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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Chain pickerel

Chain pickerel

Regulation boundaryMaryland State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size14" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

MD Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing in Nontidal Waters.A person may fish through the ice in any nontidal waters of the State during the lawful open season if an angler's license first is obtained.A person may not cut a hole through the ice for the purpose of ice fishing that measures more than 10 inches across in any direction.It will be lawful for any person who is ice fishing to use up to five tip ups or rods (hand held devices) when ice fishing.All tip ups and rods used by a person engaged in ice fishing shall be under the immediate control of the person.

Required licenses
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.
Additional information
No closed season.Possession limit = 10 pickerel in aggregate.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Esox niger
Season open: June 16 - February 28
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryMaryland State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size12" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

MD Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing in Nontidal Waters.A person may fish through the ice in any nontidal waters of the State during the lawful open season if an angler's license first is obtained.A person may not cut a hole through the ice for the purpose of ice fishing that measures more than 10 inches across in any direction.It will be lawful for any person who is ice fishing to use up to five tip ups or rods (hand held devices) when ice fishing.All tip ups and rods used by a person engaged in ice fishing shall be under the immediate control of the person.

Required licenses
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.
Additional information
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.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Federal Spring Branch

5.0
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1 ratings

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Cities nearby

Upper Marlboro

0.9 miles away

Marlboro Village

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Queensland

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Brown Station

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Brock Hall

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Westphalia

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Marlton

3.9 miles away

Melwood

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Rosaryville

4.6 miles away

Croom

4.9 miles away

Kettering

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Largo

5.5 miles away

Andrews AFB

5.8 miles away

Forestville

6.0 miles away

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6.6 miles away

Queen Anne

7.1 miles away

District Heights

7.1 miles away

Lake Arbor

7.3 miles away

Woodmore

7.4 miles away

Walker Mill

7.5 miles away

Summerfield

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Mitchellville

8.6 miles away

Dunkirk

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FAQ about Federal Spring Branch fishing

📍 Where is the Federal Spring Branch located?
the Federal Spring Branch is a stream located in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°48′58.1″N 76°46′6.1″W
.
🎣 Where on the Federal Spring Branch is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Federal Spring Branch by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Federal Spring Branch?
The most common species in the Federal Spring Branch are:
📢 What are the latest Federal Spring Branch fishing reports?
The latest Federal Spring Branch fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Federal Spring Branch right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Federal Spring Branch, some of the species in season this November include: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Blacktip shark, Black sea bass, and Bull shark. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Federal Spring Branch?

Fishing in Maryland requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident, non-resident, daily, and annual licenses, purchasable online or at authorized vendors.

In Maryland, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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