Native Trout In Maryland

[Jtrout]

I've been trout fishing all my life and have only caught stocked trout I was wondering if any body knows of some good places in maryland that have native trout I'm in the anne arundel, pg and howard counties. Any help or info would be great! Thanks tight lines!

[flyfisher]

The only native trout in the mid atlantic, well char actually, are brookies.  I am not sure where there are in MD but if they are there, it would be in smaller mountain streams that maintain lower temperatures during the summer. 

[BrianinMD]

The only two I know of are the creek in Cunningham Falls State Park, and Hunting Creek. Both areas are very regulated catch and release, specific artificial lures only.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

The Gunpowder River is by far the best native trout fishery I've discovered in the area. It is C&R/artificials only. The area near Monkton, MD is the most productive. Most of the tributaries in the area hold native brook trout too. There is a small fly fishing shop called Backwater Angler that is owned by friendly folks who will give you good advice. I have a good friend who is a guide out that way, PM me if you want more info.

[Logan S]

Pretty much everywhere in MD will get stockers, doesn't mean there aren't wild trout that hold over though.  

 

For something close to you, try the Patuxent River above Triadelphia, its C&R and artificial only.  Its stocked once a year but it does have wild brown trout according to DNR...Its shaded enough to stay cool in the summer.  

 

If you want a completely unstocked stream, there are two that come to mind.

 

The Savage River below the dam in Garret county is probably the most famous one... Supposedly one of the best trout fisheries on the entire east coast.  Its on my list to hit this winter.

 

Big Hunting Creek above the lake is not stocked and is managed as a wild brook and brown trout stream.  Its small and the fish are very spooky and smart, definitely a challenge.  I always fish below the lake, its stocked with all 3 species annually but there are plenty of holdovers that live there naturally.  It's fly-fishing only though, don't know if it makes  difference to you.

 

 

As stated already, Brookies are the only trout that are 'native' to MD but plenty of places have wild (naturally reproducing) brown trout as a result of stocking.  I don't think there are very many Rainbows, if any, that are wild in MD.