Sec. 08.02.11.01. Trout Fishing and Management Areas

A. Basic Statewide Trout Fishing. Except as listed in §§B-H of this regulation, the following shall be in effect for trout fishing in all nontidal waters of the State:

(1) Open season - year around;

(2) Fishing hours - from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.;

(3) Creel and possession limits (all species of trout) in aggregate - daily: 2, possession: 4;

(4) A trout is part of the daily creel and possession limit if it cannot freely swim away from a person;

(5) Minimum size (all species of trout) - no minimum size restriction.

B. Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Areas.

(1) Open Season. Put-and-take trout fishing areas are closed to all fishing from 10 p.m. of the first date to 5:30 a.m. of the last date, during the period listed in the following schedule:

(a) Closure 0 - No closure;

(b) Closure 1 - From the first Sunday after March 4 to the last Saturday in March; and

(c) Closure 2 - From Sunday to Saturday of the last full week of March.

(2) Fishing Hours.

(a) Except as provided in §(2)(b) of this regulation, the fishing hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

(b) There are no time restrictions for fishing in impoundments of 5 acres or more.

(3) Creel and Possession Limits.

(a) Brook trout - Daily: 0, Possession: 0.

(b) All other species of trout in aggregate - Daily: 5, Possession: 10.

(4) Public and private ponds in which State-supported fishing rodeos are held may be designated as put-and-take trout fishing areas on the day of the rodeo and are subject to the provisions in §B(1)-(3) of this regulation.

(5) Except as provided in §C(1) of this regulation the following areas are designated as put-and-take trout fishing areas and are subject to the provisions in §B(1)-(3) of this regulation:

	Closure Periods
(a) Allegany County:
(i) Evitts Creek mainstem upstream of Interstate 68	1
(ii) Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap Lake)	0
(iii) Flintstone Creek watershed	0
(iv) Wills Creek mainstem upstream of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control Project at The Narrows above Cumberland	1
(v) Fifteen Mile Creek watershed	1
(vi) North Jennings Run watershed	2
(vii) Jennings Run mainstem downstream of the confluence of North Jennings Run	2
(viii) Battie Mixon Ponds	0
(ix) Dans Mountain Pond	0
(x) North Branch Potomac River from the Allegany County line downstream to the Upper Potomac River Commission Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge in Westernport	0
(xi) Evitts Creek Ponds	0
(xii) Georges Creek mainstem from the upper extent of Town Park in Westernport upstream to Neff Run	0
(xiii) Orchard Pond	0
(xiv) White Sulfur Pond	0
(xv) Cotton Cove Pond in Lion's Park Glendening Recreational Complex at Frostburg	2
(xvi) Lion's Park Pond in Frostburg	0
(b) Anne Arundel County:
(i) Severn Run mainstem upstream of Maryland Route 3	1
(ii) Lake Waterford	0
(c) Baltimore County and Baltimore City:
(i) Patapsco River mainstem from the B & O Viaduct upstream to Bloedes Dam	1
(ii) Little Falls mainstem from Wiseburg Road upstream to Valley Mill Road	1
(iii) Gunpowder Falls mainstem from a red post located 1.6 miles downstream of Corbett Road downstream to the hiker/biker bridge located approximately 1 mile downstream of Phoenix Road; and, from Cromwell Bridge downstream to the Interstate 95 bridge	1
(iv) Little Gunpowder Falls mainstem from Jericho Road upstream to Maryland Route 165	1
(v) Gwynn Oak Park Pond	0
(vi) Gwynns Falls mainstem below Maryland Route 140	0
(vii) Jones Falls mainstem below Lake Roland	0
(viii) Stansbury Park Pond	0
(ix) Avalon Pond (Lost Lake)	0
(d) Calvert and Charles Counties:
(i) Calvert Cliffs Pond	0
(ii) Hughesville Pond	0
(iii) Hutchins Pond	0
(iv) Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management area - all ponds	0
(v) Wheatley Lake	0
(e) Caroline and Queen Anne's Counties:
(i) Tuckahoe Creek and impoundment above the abandoned stone railroad bridge upstream of Maryland Route 404	0
(f) Carroll County:
(i) Beaver Run mainstem upstream of Maryland Route 91	1
(ii) Piney Run mainstem downstream from Arrington Road	1
(iii) Westminster Pond	2
(iv) Farm Museum Pond	2
(v) Piney Run Reservoir	0
(vi) Taneytown Rod and Gun Pond	0
(vii) South Branch Patapsco River mainstem from West Friendship Road (Howard County side) and Main Street (Carroll County side) downstream to its confluence with the North Branch Patapsco River	1
(viii) Liberty Reservoir	0
(g) Cecil County:
(i) Principio Creek mainstem upstream of Maryland Route 7	1
(ii) Rising Sun Pond	0
(iii) Big Elk Creek mainstem from the bridge at Maryland Route 277 upstream to the Pennsylvania state line	1
(iv) Howards Pond	0
(h) Frederick County:
(i) Fishing Creek mainstem upstream of Fishing Creek Reservoir including Steep Creek	1
(ii) Owens Creek mainstem from Buck Lantz Road downstream to Roddy Road	1
(iii) Friends Creek watershed	1
(iv) Middle Creek mainstem from the Maryland Route 17 bridge at the junction of Bittle Road upstream to the confluence of Spruce Run	1
(v) Cunningham Falls Lake	0
(vi) Frank Bentz Pond	2
(vii) Rainbow Lake	2
(viii) Urbana Lake	0
(ix) Middletown Pond	0
(x) Whiskey Springs Pond	2
(xi) Hamburg Pond	2
(xii) Woodsboro Community Pond	0
(xiii) Whittier Lake	0
(i) Garrett County:
(i) Savage River mainstem from Savage River Reservoir upstream to Poplar Lick	2
(ii) Youghiogheny River mainstem upstream of the junction of Muddy Creek and from the upstream side of the Maryland Route 42 bridge downstream 0.4 miles to a site 50 yards downstream of Maple Street (at the confluence of Minnow Run)	0
(iii) Bear Creek mainstem from the corner of Fish Hatchery Road and Rabbit Hollow Road downstream to the confluence with the Youghiogheny River at Friendsville.	1
(iv) Mill Run mainstem downstream of uppermost bridge of Mill Run Road	1
(v) Muddy Creek mainstem	0
(vi) Savage Reservoir	0
(vii) New Germany Lake	0
(viii) Piney Reservoir	0
(ix) Broadford Lake	0
(x) Herrington Lake	0
(xi) North Branch Potomac River mainstem from Jennings Randolph Lake upstream approximately 6 miles to the lower boundary of Potomac State Forest; from the uppermost boundary of Potomac State Forest at Wallman upstream approximately 8.5 miles to the bridge at Old Wilson Road; from a red post located approximately 100 yards above the upstream concrete abutments at Barnum, West Virginia, downstream to a red post located below a pool known as Blue Hole, approximately 1/3 mile upstream of Bench Mark 1110 on the Westernport U.S.G.S. Quadrangle, and from Piney Swamp Run downstream to the Allegany County line	0
(xii) Accident Pond	0
(xiii) Little Youghiogheny River mainstem, from Maryland Route 219 downstream to the Youghiogheny River	0
(xiv) Herrington Creek mainstem	0
(xv) Deep Creek Lake	0
(xvi) Jennings Randolph Lake	0
(xvii) Snowy Creek mainstem	0
(j) Harford County:
(i) Deer Creek mainstem from 1 mile south of Rocks State Park upstream to the bridge at Maryland Route 23	1
(ii) Little Gunpowder Falls mainstem from Jericho Road upstream to Maryland Route 165	1
(iii) Forest Hill Pond	2
(k) Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County:
(i) Northwest Branch watershed upstream of Maryland Route 410 to Norwood Road	2
(ii) Izaak Walton Pond	2
(iii) Pine Lake	2
(iv) Centennial Lake	0
(v) Lake Elkhorn	0
(vi) Melwood Pond	0
(vii) Lake Needwood	0
(viii) Tucker Pond	0
(ix) Cosca Lake	0
(x) Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Pond	2
(xi) Patuxent River mainstem from base of Rocky Gorge Reservoir Dam in Laurel downstream to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad crossing	1
(xii) South Branch Patapsco River mainstem from West Friendship Road (Howard County side) and Main Street (Carroll County Side) downstream to its confluence with the North Branch Patapsco River	1
(xiii) Great Seneca Creek from Maryland Route 28 upstream to Maryland Route 355	1
(xiv) Greenbelt Lake	0
(xv) Schoolhouse Pond	0
(xvi) Lake Artemesia	0
(xvii) Allen's Pond	0
(xviii) Laurel Lakes	0
(l) Washington County:
(i) Beaver Creek from the downstream side of the bridges located on the private farm lane below the Albert Powell State Trout Hatchery downstream to Black Rock Creek; and from Beaver Creek Road downstream to the confluence with Antietam Creek	1
(ii) Sideling Hill Creek watershed	0
(iii) Blairs Valley Lake	0
(iv) Indian Springs Pond	2
(v) Greenbrier Lake	0
(vi) Licking Creek mainstem	1
(vii) Israel Creek	0
(viii) Sharpsburg Community Pond	0
(ix) Antietam Creek mainstem from upstream boundary of Devil's Backbone Park to the mouth of Beaver Creek	0
(m) Wicomico County: Beaverdam Creek in Salisbury from Schumaker Dam downstream to the bridge crossing at Memorial Plaza Road	0
(n) Worcester County: Shad Landing Pond	0

C. Catch-and-Return Trout Fishing Areas.

(1) Owens Creek.

(a) Special provisions in effect on this area:

(i) From June 1 through the last day of February, a person may not keep or have any trout in possession while fishing; and

(ii) A person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish.

(b) The area subject to the provisions of §C(1)(a) of this regulation is Owens Creek mainstem from Buck Lantz Road downstream to Roddy Road.

(2) Areas with No Special Tackle Restrictions.

(a) Special provisions in effect on this area:

(i) Open season - no closed season;

(ii) Creel and possession limits, all trout species in aggregate: daily - 0, possession - 0; and

(iii) No special tackle restrictions.

(b) The area subject to the provisions of §C(2)(a) of this regulation is the North Branch Potomac River from the Upper Potomac River Commission Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge at Westernport downstream to the Maryland Route 956 bridge at Pinto.

(3) Areas Limited to Use of Artificial Lures Only.

(a) Special provisions in effect on these areas:

(i) A person may not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas. All trout which are caught shall be released and returned to the water.

(ii) A person may fish only with artificial lures, including artificial flies.

(iii) In these areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish.

(iv) The open season for artificial lure fishing is January 1 through December 31, inclusive.

(b) Areas subject to the provisions of this section are:

(i) Patuxent River, Howard and Montgomery counties. The mainstem of the Patuxent River from the crossing of Maryland Route 97 upstream to the crossing of Maryland Route 27 and Cabin Branch from its confluence with the Patuxent River upstream to Hipsley Mill Road.

(ii) Morgan Run, Carroll County. From bridge on London Bridges Road upstream to bridge on Maryland Route 97.

(iii) Paint Branch and Tributaries, Montgomery County upstream of Fairland Road.

(iv) Gunpowder Falls, Baltimore County. Mainstem, from Prettyboy Reservoir Dam downstream to Bluemount Road.

(v) North Branch Potomac River from an overhead cable and red bank post located approximately 345 yards below the Jennings Randolph Reservoir spillway downstream approximately 1 mile to a red post, located approximately 100 yards above the upstream concrete abutments at Barnum, West Virginia, and from a red post located below a pool known as Blue Hole approximately 1/3 mile upstream of Bench Mark 1110 on the Westernport U.S.G.S. Quadrangle, downstream approximately 4 miles to the confluence of Piney Swamp Run.

(vi) Youghiogheny River, Garrett County. Mainstem beginning at a red post approximately 100 yards upstream of the Deep Creek Lake tailrace and extending downstream 4 miles to the Sang Run Bridge.

(vii) Little Hunting Creek, Frederick County. Mainstem from a red post located approximately 1/4 mile downstream of Maryland Route 806, upstream to include all waters of Little Hunting Creek within the boundaries of Cunningham Falls State Park.

(4) Areas Limited to Artificial Fly Fishing Only.

(a) Special provisions in effect on these areas:

(i) A person may not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas. All trout which are caught shall be released and returned to the water.

(ii) A person may fish only with artificial flies and streamers constructed in a normal fashion using natural or synthetic materials, or both, which may include feathers, fur, hair, tinsel, thread, fiber, plastic, cork, wire, and rubber, on a single hook with the components wound on or about the hook. A person may not use molded replicas of insects, earthworms, fish eggs, fish, or any invertebrate or vertebrate, either singly or in combination with the other materials, or other lures commonly described as spinners, spoons, or plugs made of metal, plastic, wood, rubber, or a similar substance or a combination of these.

(iii) A person may fish only with conventional fly fishing tackle, including fly rods, fly reels, and fly line with a maximum of 18 feet of leader or monofilament line attached. Any method of angling when the fly is cast directly from the reel is prohibited. The use of spinning, spincast, and casting reels is prohibited.

(iv) In these areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish.

(v) The open season is January 1 through December 31, inclusive.

(b) Areas subject to provisions of this section are:

(i) Big Hunting Creek, Frederick County. All waters of Big Hunting Creek and its tributaries within Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park except Owens Creek, Little Hunting Creek, Cunningham Falls Lake, and Frank Bentz Pond;

(ii) Beaver Creek, Washington County. From the confluence with Black Rock Creek downstream approximately 1 mile to a red post located 0.1 mile above Beaver Creek Road; and

(iii) Patuxent River, Montgomery and Howard Counties. From red bank posts located on both sides of the river approximately 400 yards below Brighton Dam downstream to Mink Hollow Road.

D. Trophy Trout Fishing Areas.

(1) Savage River mainstem from the downstream side of the Route 135 bridge upstream for a distance of approximately 2.7 miles to the lower suspension bridge (Allegany Bridge) is a trophy trout fishing area. The following apply:

(a) Open season - no closed season.

(b) Creel limit all trout species in aggregate - daily: 2, possession: 4.

(c) Minimum size: brook trout - 12 inches; brown trout - 18 inches; all other species of trout - no minimum size.

(d) A person may not have in possession any trout smaller than the minimum size limit in effect for this area.

(e) A person may fish only with artificial lures, including artificial flies. Treble hooks are prohibited. Each artificial lure is restricted to a single hook with a single hook point.

(f) In these areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish.

(2) Savage River mainstem from the Savage River Reservoir Dam downstream to the lower suspension bridge (Allegany Bridge) is a trophy trout fishing area. The following apply:

(a) Open season - no closed season

(b) Creel limit all trout species in aggregate - daily: 2, possession: 4.

(c) Minimum size: brook trout - 12 inches; brown trout - 18 inches; all other species of trout - no minimum size.

(d) A person may fish only with artificial flies.

(e) In these areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish. Section C(4)(a)(ii)-(iv), of this regulation shall apply to this special trout management area.

(f) A person may not have in possession any trout smaller than the minimum size limit in effect for this area.

E. Areas Limited to Fishing by Persons Younger than 16 Years Old, Persons 65 Years Old or Older, and Blind Persons.

(1) Special provisions in effect on these areas:

(a) Fishing in these areas is limited to persons under 16 years old, persons 65 years old and older, and blind persons;

(b) Section B(1)-(3) of this regulation shall apply to these special trout management areas.

(2) Areas subject to provisions of this section:

(a) Jones Falls, Baltimore County. That portion of Jones Falls and tributaries above Stevenson Road to their source.

(b) Laurel Run (Moscow), Allegany County.

(c) Pangborn Pond, Washington County.

(d) Rising Sun Pond from March 1 through May 15.

(e) Boonsboro Pond, Washington County.

F. Areas Limited to Fishing by Persons under 16 Years Old and Blind Persons.

(1) Special provisions in effect on these areas.

(a) Fishing in these areas is limited to individuals under 16 years old and blind persons.

(b) Section B(1)-(3) of this regulation shall apply to these special trout management areas.

(2) Areas subject to provisions of this section:

(a) Carroll Creek from a red post located approximately 300 yards upstream of Baughmans Lane downstream to the dam at College Avenue;

(b) Little Tonoloway Creek within Weidmeyer Park in Hancock;

(c) Glades Park Pond on Liberty Street in Oakland;

(d) George's Creek within Town Park in Westernport;

(e) Little Antietam Creek at Keedysville, from Coffman Farms Road downstream to Maryland Route 34; and

(f) Grantsville Parkview Pond off Hershberger Lane.

G. Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas and Requirements.

(1) Group I Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas and Restrictions.

(a) Group I Fishing Areas.

(i) Catoctin and Little Catoctin Creek (Frederick County) from U.S. Route 40 near its intersection with Maryland Route 17 within Doubs Meadow Park downstream to the lower park boundary near Myersville.

(ii) Catoctin Creek (Howard County) within the boundaries of Catoctin Creek Park.

(iii) Middle Patuxent River (Howard County) from U.S. Route 29 downstream to Murray Hill Road.

(iv) Town Creek mainstem (Allegany County) within Green Ridge State Forest, from a red post located approximately 3/4 mile downstream of the upper ford on lower Town Creek Road, just south of the Wagner Road intersection, downstream to a red post located just upstream of the lower ford on Lower Town Creek Road (Mallory Place), and from a post located approximately 1/2 mile downstream of Maniford Road to a red post located approximately 1-3/4 miles downstream (Bull Ring Ranch).

(v) South Branch Patapsco River from West Friendship Road (Howard County) and Main Street (Carroll County) upstream approximately 1.1 mile to the upper boundary of the Hugg Thomas Wildlife Management Area.

(b) Season, Creel, and Possession Limits for Group I Fishing Areas.

(i) From June 1 through September 30, inclusive, the daily creel limit is five trout and the possession limit is ten trout (all species of trout in aggregate); and

(ii) From October 1 through May 31, inclusive, a person may not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas, and shall immediately release any trout caught to the water from which the trout was taken.

(c) Bait Restrictions for Group I Fishing Areas.

(i) From June 1 through September 30, no special bait, lure, or tackle restrictions are in effect.

(ii) From October 1 through May 31, in these areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish.

(2) Group II Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas and Restrictions.

(a) Group II Fishing Areas.

(i) Casselman River mainstem (Garrett County) from a boundary marked by two red posts on both stream banks located on the south side of the Interstate 68 eastbound bridge downstream to the Pennsylvania state line.

(ii) North Branch Potomac River mainstem (Garrett County) from the lowermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest near Lostland Run to the uppermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest at Wallman.

(iii) Youghiogheny River mainstem (Garrett County) below Friendsville from a site located 50 yards downstream of Maple Street (at the confluence of Minnow Run) downstream 1.8 miles to the powerline crossing upstream of the Youghiogheny Reservoir.

(b) Season, Creel, and Possession Limits for Group II Fishing Areas.

(i) From June 16 through September 30, inclusive, the daily creel limit is five trout and the possession limit is ten trout (all species of trout in aggregate).

(ii) From October 1 through June 15, inclusive, a person may not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas, and shall immediately release any trout caught to the water from which the trout was taken.

(c) Bait Restrictions for Group II Fishing Areas.

(i) From June 16 through September 30, inclusive, no special bait, lure, or tackle restrictions are in effect.

(ii) From October 1 through June 15, inclusive, in these areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish.

H. Special Restrictions for Brook Trout.

(1) Nontidal Waters East of Interstate 81. A person may not have brook trout in possession while fishing in nontidal waters of the State located east of Interstate 81.

(2) Savage River.

(a) Special provisions in effect on this area:

(i) A person may use only artificial flies and lures;

(ii) A person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish; and

(iii) A person may not have brook trout in possession while fishing in this area.

(b) The area subject to the provisions of §H(2)(a) of this regulation is the Savage River mainstem and tributaries upstream of the Savage River Reservoir dam, excluding impoundments and Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Areas (Savage River Reservoir, Savage River from Savage River Reservoir upstream to Poplar Lick Run, and New Germany Lake).