# COMAR Title 08 — Department of Natural Resources

## Subtitle 02 — Fisheries Service

### Chapter 11 — Fishing in Nontidal Waters

#### Regulation .01 Trout Fishing and Management Areas.

*COMAR 08.02.11.01*

A. Basic Statewide Trout Fishing. Except as listed in §§B—I 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. Except as provided in §I of this regulation, 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; and

    (b) Closure 1 — From the first Sunday after March 4 to the last Saturday in March.

  (2) Fishing Hours.

    (a) Except as provided in §B(2)(b) and (c) and §I 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.

    (c) In areas designated as Closure 1 in §B(5) of this regulation, the fishing hours on the last Saturday in March are from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  (3) Creel and Possession Limits.

    (a) Brook trout v 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:

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, or fish with any barbed hook; 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) North Branch Potomac River.

    (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) A person may not fish with any barbed hook.

    (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.

      (v) A person may not fish with any barbed hook.

    (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 leader or monofilament line attached. Any method of angling when the fly is cast directly from the reel is prohibited. The use of centerpin, 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.

      (vi) A person may not fish with any barbed hook.

    (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 to the downstream side of the U.S. Route 40 bridge ; 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) Laurel Run (Moscow), Allegany County.

    (b) Pangborn Pond, Washington County.

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

    (d) 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 (Frederick County) from the southernmost boundary of Catoctin Creek Park upstream to 200 feet north of the Sumantown Road Bridge.

      (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, inclusive, no special bait, lure, or tackle restrictions are in effect.

      (ii) From October 1 through May 31, 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.

    (d) From October 1 through May 31, inclusive, in these areas, a person may not fish with any barbed hook.

  (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.

    (d) From October 1 through June 15, inclusive, in these areas, a person may not fish with any barbed hook.

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).

I. Youth Trout Fishing Day.

  (1) Youth trout fishing day is the Saturday before the last Saturday in March in areas designated as Closure 1 in §B of this regulation.

  (2) Fishing Hours. The fishing hours on youth trout fishing day are from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  (3) Fishing in the areas during the date and times described in this section is limited to individuals younger than 16 years old.

  (4) Creel and Possession Limits.

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

    (b) All other species of trout in aggregate — Daily: 2, Possession: 2.

J. Special Restrictions for Beaver Creek. A person may not have any brown trout in possession while fishing in Beaver Creek, from the confluence with Antietam Creek upstream to the Albert Powell State Trout Hatchery.