Maryland Fishing Pier Directory

Every Fishing Pier in Maryland

1,510+ fishing piers across Maryland. Saltwater, freshwater, and river access. 86 named piers with details.

Maryland has 1,510 piers concentrated overwhelmingly on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries — the country's largest estuary — plus the Atlantic coast at Ocean City and Assateague, the Potomac River from the D.C. line south, and the Susquehanna Flats at the Bay's head. Whether you're casting for striped bass off the Chesapeake Beach Pier on a fall run, jigging for white perch from a Solomons pier at sunrise, surf-fishing the Ocean City Pier for kingfish, or fishing for snakeheads on the Potomac, the directory below shows piers with verified locations, public-access status, parking availability, and amenity details.

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Browse by City

Anne Arundel County

78 piers

Talbot County

70 piers

Kent County

63 piers

Caroline County

61 piers

Dorchester County

58 piers

Dundalk

48 piers

Cecil County

46 piers

Saint Mary's County

43 piers

Worcester County

43 piers

Queen Anne's County

42 piers

Towson

39 piers

Harford County

37 piers

Glen Burnie

34 piers

Charles County

28 piers

Wicomico County

26 piers

Calvert County

25 piers

The Complete Guide

Maryland's Pier Landscape

Maryland runs the most Bay-concentrated pier market in the country. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries hold over 90% of the state's piers, making this the densest cruising-grade and fishing-pier concentration on the East Coast. Public fishing piers anchor the Bay's recreational fishery: Chesapeake Beach Pier, Solomons Island, Matapeake Pier (a former ferry terminal converted to a fishing pier on Kent Island), Sandy Point State Park Pier, North East Community Park Pier, and Romancoke Pier all rank among the most-fished public piers on the Bay. Striped bass (rockfish), white perch, blue crab, and seasonal bluefish are the universal targets across the Bay system. The four major rivers feeding the Bay each support their own pier scenes — the Potomac (lower stretch from Colonial Beach south through Reedville and Coles Point), the Patuxent (Solomons through Lexington Park), the Choptank (Cambridge, Easton, Oxford), and the Severn (Annapolis area). Eastern Shore piers (Crisfield, Cambridge, St. Michael's, Tilghman Island, Chesapeake City) host quieter scenes with strong waterfowling heritage and working-waterfront character. The Susquehanna Flats at the Bay's head (Havre de Grace, North East, Charlestown, Port Deposit) support a freshwater-influenced market specializing in trophy spring striped bass. Ocean City and the Atlantic coast offer offshore-charter pier access at Ocean City Inlet and the Ocean City Boardwalk Pier — the Atlantic side targets kingfish, flounder, sharks, and seasonally bluefish and Spanish mackerel. The Potomac River from D.C. south to Point Lookout is its own boating fishery with snakehead, smallmouth bass, blue catfish, and seasonal striped bass.

Striper Cycle, Crabbing-From-Piers, and Atlantic Patterns

Three Maryland-specific factors shape every pier outing. The striper cycle is the year's most-tracked event for Bay anglers. The Maryland trophy spring season runs roughly mid-April through mid-May for fish 28 inches and over (post-spawn rockfish moving up the Bay); summer slot season follows with smaller fish; the fall run runs September through November as fish school heading south. Pier fishing peaks during all three windows but is most productive at sunrise and sunset on the trophy spring run. Maryland DNR sets exact dates and slot limits annually — rules change yearly, so confirm before each trip. Crabbing-from-piers is a Maryland tradition: Chesapeake blue crab can be caught from public piers using hand lines, dip nets, collapsible traps (no commercial-style pots from public piers), or trotlines. Recreational crab licenses are required above small thresholds; check Maryland DNR for current rules. Atlantic-side patterns differ entirely: Ocean City Pier and the Boardwalk fishing piers see kingfish and flounder runs in spring through summer, then bluefish and Spanish mackerel migrations late summer and fall. A Maryland fishing license is required for anyone 16+ fishing tidal waters (Bay and tributaries to head of tide); a separate non-tidal license covers everything above. The Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing License covers tidal waters only. Many fishing piers post which license they require.

Regional Patterns Across the State

Maryland's pier market splits into five distinct regions. Western shore mid-Bay (Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomons, Calvert County): heaviest pier-fishing concentration, year-round access, striper and white perch focus, peak spring trophy season demand. Susquehanna Flats and upper Bay (Havre de Grace, North East, Rock Hall, Chestertown): trophy spring striper market, freshwater-influenced fishing, mid-priced public access. Eastern Shore (Cambridge, St. Michael's, Easton, Crisfield, Tilghman): quieter cruising and fishing, historic working-waterfront heritage, lower demand than western shore, strong crabbing scene. Atlantic Ocean City corridor (Ocean City Pier, Boardwalk piers, Assateague): offshore charter access, kingfish and flounder runs, summer-peak demand, hurricane vulnerability. Potomac and southern Maryland (Colonial Beach, Coltons Point, Point Lookout, Lexington Park): freshwater-influenced fishing in the Potomac, snakehead and blue catfish dominance, lower-density piers. The directory above includes coverage across all five regions.

All 2274 Maryland Fishing Piers

Additional Fishing Spots

Maryland Pier Fishing FAQ

How many fishing piers are in Maryland?

PierSeeker lists 1510+ fishing piers, docks, and jetties across Maryland.

Do I need a fishing license in Maryland?

Most states require a fishing license even when fishing from a public pier. Check Maryland's fish and wildlife department for current requirements.

What fish can I catch from piers in Maryland?

Popular catches from Maryland piers include striped bass, blue crabs, and perch. Species vary by location and season.

Are fishing piers in Maryland free?

Many fishing piers in Maryland are free to access. Some popular piers may charge a small fee during peak season.

Is PierSeeker free?

Yes, completely free. No login, no account, no fees. Just find your pier and go fish.

When is striper season in Maryland?

Maryland's trophy spring striper season runs approximately mid-April through mid-May, when post-spawn rockfish above 28 inches are catchable on the upper Bay. Summer slot season follows with smaller fish (typically 19-24 inches). The fall run runs September through November as fish school heading south. Winter catch-and-release continues on the Susquehanna Flats. Maryland DNR sets exact dates and slot limits annually — rules change yearly, so check before each trip. Most pier fishing peaks at sunrise and sunset during these windows.

Can I crab from Maryland piers?

Yes — blue crab can be caught from most public Bay piers using hand lines, dip nets, collapsible traps, or trotlines. Commercial-style pots are not allowed from public piers. Recreational crab licenses are required above small thresholds (current rules through Maryland DNR). Crabbing season runs roughly April through November, peaking July-September. Many piers post crabbing rules and license requirements at the entrance.

Do I need a fishing license to fish from a Maryland pier?

Yes — Maryland requires a fishing license for anyone 16 or older. Tidal waters (Chesapeake Bay and tributaries to the head of tide) require a Tidal or Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing license. Non-tidal waters require a separate freshwater license. Buy whichever matches where you fish, or both for full state coverage. Senior discounts apply at age 65. All licenses are issued through Maryland DNR.

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