Did you know that almost a fourth of the Free State is made up of water? We don’t know about you, but to us, that spells a lot of fish. Thanks to the many fishing piers Maryland has to offer, you can enjoy all these angling opportunities without even stepping on a boat. With that in mind, we came up with a list of the very best Maryland fishing piers. Read on!
Whether they’re lined along the mighty Potomac, dotted around the bountiful Chesapeake Bay, or jutting out into the open Atlantic, the fishing piers in Maryland have something for every type of angler.
Ocean City Fishing Pier
Address: 401 S. Atlantic Ave, Ocean City
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Right in the heart of one of America’s favorite beach resorts, Ocean City Fishing Pier is the perfect choice for a little vacation fishing. Located on Ocean City’s award-winning beach, this is the only pier in town that lets you cast out in the open Atlantic.
That means you’ll be right on top of some hard-biting Rockfish (Striped Bass), Bluefish, Ling Cod, Kingfish, and Cobia. And all that without having to buy a license! The local bait and tackle shop will cover any of your gear needs. They also serve refreshments here, but no alcohol is allowed.
When you get tired of reeling, the beach offers a variety of activities to try. From surfing and canoeing to dancing and movie watching, this place truly has it all. And if you thought the beach was special, wait until you see the boardwalk. Dotted with crab cake joints, amusement parks, and shops, the colorful 3-mile trail is a big reason why Ocean City is one of America’s favorite vacation spots.
Top Fishing Charters in Ocean City
Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
Please note, both Dorchester and Talbot piers are closed until further notice due to structural issues.
Address: 29761 Boling Broke Point Dr, Trappe
Opening hours: Currently closed.
As the Choptank River swerves past the town of Cambridge, you’ll find one of the more unique fishing piers in the state. Bill Burton Fishing Pier was originally built in 1935 as a bridge that connected Talbot and Dorchester Counties. The bridge was since divided to allow passage of boats, and today, it serves as one of the longest fishing piers in Maryland.
The Talbot side of the pier boasts a 25-acre park equipped with picnic tables and shaded walking trails. Keep an eye out as you stroll along, you might get a chance to see a muskrat or two! In order to keep the area as pristine as possible, the officials decided not to allow pets in the park. Around the pier, birdwatchers can enjoy ospreys, Canadian geese, and ducks.
Both sides of the pier are open from 7:00 a.m. until sunset, and they offer a wide variety of fish to go for. Just make sure to pick up a fishing license before heading there. The Lower Choptank River is known as an abundant fishery, offering good numbers of White Perch, Channel Catfish, as well as Rockfish and Bluefish. If you’re visiting with kids, this is a great spot for catching oysters and crabbing.
Cox Point Park Pier
Address: 820 Riverside Dr, Essex
Opening hours: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tucked away from noise and traffic, Cox Point Park is a serene strip of land jutting into the Back River. Perfect for kids, the park has been a local favorite for years. The park boasts playgrounds and picnic areas with benches and grills, perfect for a family cookout.
Kids love feeding the park’s resident ducks and geese, so make sure to bring some bread so the little ones can have fun.
Moving towards the pier, you’ll be greeted by an amazing view of the river and the surrounding area. You can expect to catch some big Catfish here, as well as the odd White Perch. The best part is, you don’t need a license to fish in the park.
Cox Park also has a free-of-charge boat ramp, making it perfect for a kayaking adventure on the River.
Matapeake State Park Fishing Pier
Address: 1112 Romancoke Rd, Stevensville
Opening hours: 24 hours
Location-wise, Matapeake State Park Pier is really tough to beat. Looking out towards Annapolis and the magnificent Chesapeake Bay Bridge, this little coastal marvel is worth a visit for the views alone.
Chances are, however, that you’ve come here to test your angling skills. And you wouldn’t be wrong for doing so. Rockfish fishing is great, but you’ll also have your hands full with Bluefish, Catfish, Black Drum, and White Perch.
Right next to the pier, you’ll find a snug sandy beach. Managed by Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach, the beach is a charming little spot perfect for relaxing and enjoying the Bay views. People love to bring their dogs for a swim here, especially during summer.
There’s a $2.50/hour parking fee for fishing and boat ramp access. If you’re just visiting the Clubhouse and Beach, you won’t need to pay the fee.
Point Lookout Park Fishing Pier
Please note that the fishing pier was closed in October 2024 for renovations and is due to open soon.
Address: 11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Overlooking one of Chesapeake Bay’s widest points, Point Lookout is one of very the best places to fish in the plentiful estuary. The Rockfish action is second to none, and there’s a good chance you’ll catch White Perch, too.
The fishing pier is a 710′ wooden dock operational from mid-April until the third week in December. You can fish here during the day, but you’ll need a valid fishing license to do so. Apart from all the gear, the nearby bait and tackle store offers souvenirs, ice cream, and refreshments, too.
Minutes away from the pier, the Nature Center and Civil War History Museum are ideal spots to get away from the sun. If museums are not your thing, you’ll find well-maintained picnic areas, hiking trails, and over 140 wooded campsites around the park.
Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park
Address: 2001 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Annapolis
Opening hours: October – March : 7:00 a.m to posted closing time (no earlier than 5 p.m.); April – September: 6:30 a.m. to posted closing time (no later than 8:30 p.m.) April – September (until 10:30 Weds – Sat).
A visit to the Free State isn’t complete without seeing the beautiful capital of Annapolis. This 17th-century gem lies at the mouth of the Severn River, a fishery renowned for its bountiful waters. Once you’ve soaked up the town’s history, it’s time to escape the crowds and enjoy some reel action.
Just across the beautiful Naval Academy Bridge, Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park offers a stunning view of the lower Severn River and the surrounding area. The quaint little park puts you right on the spot for a variety of fish species. Thanks to an underwater oyster-covered reef, the pier attracts great numbers of Catfish, White Perch, and Croakers.
The park is open from 7:00 a.m during the slow season and from 6:30 a.m. during the busy season, until sundown, and you’ll need a Maryland fishing license to fish here.
When you’ve caught your fill, it’s time for a little sunbathing on the park’s sandy beach. If you’re in the mood for a cookout, there’s a neat picnic area with a fire pit and picnic tables. You’ll also find a small parking area and enclosed restrooms.
If cookouts aren’t really your thing, how about something a little more indulgent? Take a short walk along the river and treat yourself to a waterfront dining experience. If you happen to stick around until sunset, you’ll be greeted by the unforgettable sight of the lantern-lit bridge shining against the Severn.
North Beach Pier
Address: 9123 Atlantic Ave, North Beach
Opening hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nestled in the upscale Calvert County, North Beach Pier is a traveling angler’s treasure you don’t want to miss. Before you set foot on the pier, you’ll enjoy strolling along a beautiful flower-lined boardwalk. Soaking you in its small-town charm, the boardwalk will let you off near a pristine sandy beach, touched only by the pier you’ll be fishing from.
Unless you’re a Calvert County resident, you’ll need to pay a fee to enjoy the pier and beach. But trust us, it will be more than worth it. Probing straight into Chesapeake Bay, the pier offers all the catches this body of water is famous for. Fish for Rockfish and Bluefish to White Perch and Crab with up to two poles.
The town may be tiny in comparison to some of the other places on our list, but as far as charm goes, it definitely punches above its weight. If you can, time your visit on a Friday between May and October. This way, by the time you’re done fishing, the locals’ favorite Friday Night Farmers Market and Car Cruise will be in full swing.
Too Many to Count
Fishing is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Free State. There are plenty of productive fishing spots around, and you can spend years trying to discover them all. Hopefully, our list of the best fishing piers in Maryland will shave a few years off the effort.
What do you think of our picks? Are there any fishing piers in Maryland you think we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
