In Maryland, hundreds of miles of freshwater streams contain populations of rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout. Of the three species, only the brook trout is native to Maryland streams.

Maryland Rainbow Trout

Popular Maryland Trout Streams

In Garret County, trout can be found in Youghiogheny River between Hoyes Run and Gap Falls. The nearby Savage River has populations of all 3 Maryland trout species.

The Casselman River, a tributary of the Youghiogheny, is another top Maryland trout stream. Well known for its beauty, the Casselman flows North, through Garret County. The river has been managed for trout since 1989 via Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Area management as well as Catch and Release seasons.

In Frederick County, Big Hunting Creek flows through Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain National Park. The creek is populated by all three species of trout. Big Hunting Creek was first in the State of Maryland to be designated as a fly-fishing only stream. Later it became Maryland’s first catch-and-return trout stream.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocks Big Hunting Creek Lake as well as nearby Frank Bentz Lake and Owens Creek. In addition to state trout stocking efforts, rainbow and brook trout are stocked in Big Hunting Creek by the Potomac Valley Fly Fishermen and the Maryland Fly Anglers.

The North Branch Patapsco and many of its smaller tributaries contain populations of trout and other species.

Trout Streams by Watershed

Anacostia River

Northwest Branch Anacostia River
Antietam Creek

Beaver Creek
Little Antietam Creek
Little Beaver Creek
Little Beaver Creek UT1
March Run
Big Elk Creek

Big Elk Creek
Bynum Run

Bynum Run
Casselman River

Big Shade Run
Casselman River UT1
North Branch Casselman River
Piney Creek
South Branch Casselman River
South Branch Casselman R UT1
Evitts Creek

Evitts Creek
Furnace Bay

Principio Creek
Georges Creek

Georges Creek
Gwynns Falls

Dead Run
Gwynns Falls
Red Run
Jones Falls

Dipping Pond Run
Jones Falls
North Brook
Liberty Reservoir

Beaver Run
East Branch Patapsco River
Little Morgan Run
Morgan Run
Little Gunpowder Falls

Laurel Brook
Little Gunpowder River UT1
Loch Raven Reservoir

Baismans Run
Beaverdam Run
Beetree Run
Bush Cabin Run
Carroll Brook
Delaware Run
Greene Brook
Little Falls
Oregon Brook
Piney Creek
Piney Run
Second Mine Brook
Third Mine Brook
Waterspout Run
Lower Gunpowder Falls

Cowen Run
Monocacy River (upper)

Hunting Creek
Little Hunting Creek
Owens Creek
Monocacy River (lower)
Ballenger Creek
Little Bennet Creek
Marsh Run

Marsh Run
Octoraro Creek

Basin Run
Stone Run
Patapsco River -North Branch

NB Patapsco River UT2
NB Patapsco River UT2 to UT1
Roaring Run
Patapsco River – South Branch

Gillis Falls
Gillis Falls UT2
Patapsco River
Piney Run
Patuxent River

Cabin Brook
Mainstem Patuxent River
Mainstem Patuxent River UT1
Potomac River – North Branch

Laurel Run
Laurel Run UT1
Lostland Run
River Mill Run
Prettyboy Reservoir

Grave Run UT1
Gunpowder Falls
Rock Creek

Rock Creek
Savage River

Bear Pen Run
Big Run
Blue Lick Run
Double Lick Run
Middle Fork Run
Mudlick Run
Poplar Lick Run
Savage River
Spring Lick
Seneca Creek

Great Seneca Creek
Wild Cat Brook
Severn River

Severn Run
Susquehanna River

Conowingo Creek
Deer Creek Big Brook
Deer Creek
Ebaugh’s Creek
Little Deer Creek
Little Deer Creek UT1
Mine Brook
Plumtree Brook
South Stirrup Run
Town Creek

Flintstone Creek
Murley Brook
Wills Creek

Braddock Run
North Branch Jennings Run
Youghiogheny River

Bear Creek
Bear Creek UT1
Buffalo Run
Cherry Creek UT1
Fikes Run
Gap Run
Ginseng Run
Herrington Run
Little Bear Creek
Little Bear Creek UT1
Mill Run
Muddy Creek
Snowy Creek
South Branch Bear Creek
Youghiogheny River UT1
Aquatic Invasive Species

A variety of aquatic invasive species threaten Maryland trout streams, including didymo, an invasive non-native algae.

Related Information

Maryland Freshwater Fishing