Top fish species at Blackwater River

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Blackwater River fishing reports

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Spotted seatrout

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Striped bass

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Striped bass

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Striped bass

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Striped bass

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White perch

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General info

Blackwater River is a stream located in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. It is most popular for fishing Northern snakehead, Largemouth bass, and Striped bass.

Location

38°24′26.8″N 76°06′13.1″W
Directions

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Blackwater River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Blackwater River. 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 Blackwater River, 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: 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
Season open: year-round
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryMaryland State Waters
Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

MD Snagging

It is illegal to intentionally snag a striped bass.

MD Spawning Areas

It is illegal to fish for striped bass by any means or practice catch-and-release of striped bass in designated spawning areas from March 1–May 31.

MD Spear

It is illegal to take or shoot striped bass with a spear gun and spear in the tidal waters of the state.

MD Gaff

It is illegal to remove a striped bass from the water with a gaff or a cast net.

MD Midnight to 5 am

It is illegal to possess striped bass while fishing in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries from midnight to 5 a.m.

MD Culling

It is illegal to cull striped bass.

MD Eels as Bait

It is illegal to use eels as bait while fishing for striped bass with hook and line from Dec. 11–May 15, inclusive, in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.

MD Multiple Hooks

It is illegal to use more than two hooks or two sets of hooks for each rod or line. Artificial lures or plugs with multiple hooks are considered 1 set of hooks.

MD Land Whole

It is illegal to possess any cut up or filleted striped bass at any time aboard any boat on the tidal waters of Maryland. Striped bass must be landed whole.

Required licenses
If you catch a tagged fish, please follow the instructions printed on the tag, or call Fishing & Boating Services at 800-688-3467. Please record the tag number, capture date, fishing location, and total length.
Additional information
IMPORTANT!: YOU MUST SEE Maryland Striped Bass Map for the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, including the Maryland tributaries of the Potomac River. Effective 12:01 a.m. January 17, 2025, the minimum size for striped bass is 19 inches and the maximum size for striped bass is 24 inches. This rule is effective for the 2025 striped bass summer and fall season, which runs from May 16, 2025, through July 15, 2025, and August 1, 2025, through December 10, 2025. For the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays and their tributaries: Effective 12:01 a.m. January 17, 2025: Anglers may keep one striped bass per person per day from the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays, and their tributaries. The minimum size for striped bass is 28 inches.The maximum size is 31 inches. You must use an inline circle hook while using bait to fish for striped bass. For more information, see Striped Bass and Circle HooksStriped bass may not be caught, harassed or possessed in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which stretches from 3 to 200 miles off the coast.
Synonyms
Morone saxatilis
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Local laws and licenses

Maryland fishing license

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Cities nearby

Church Creek

7.2 miles away

Fishing Creek

8.2 miles away

Elliott

8.6 miles away

Madison

9.7 miles away

Cambridge

10.0 miles away

Taylors Island

12.2 miles away

Algonquin

12.2 miles away

Tyaskin

13.9 miles away

Vienna

15.6 miles away

Secretary

16.2 miles away

East New Market

16.3 miles away

Trappe

17.9 miles away

Lusby

18.3 miles away

Drum Point

18.5 miles away

Oxford

19.5 miles away

Hurlock

19.9 miles away

Long Beach

20.3 miles away

Choptank

20.7 miles away

Calvert Beach

21.4 miles away

St. Leonard

21.7 miles away

Preston

23.5 miles away

Tilghman Island

23.8 miles away

Easton

25.5 miles away

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FAQ about Blackwater River fishing

📍 Where is the Blackwater River located?
the Blackwater River is a stream located in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°24′26.8″N 76°06′13.1″W
.
🎣 Where on the Blackwater River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Blackwater River 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 Blackwater River?
The most common species in the Blackwater River are:
📢 What are the latest Blackwater River fishing reports?
The latest Blackwater River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Blackwater River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Blackwater River, 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 Blackwater River?

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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