A fishing excursion often highlights the quiet and deep connection between people and the environment. You can experience the calm of the water, the peacefulness of a sunrise or sunset, and the understanding that we’re all joined together by nature. You also might be able to bring home a delicious dinner, if you’re lucky. In Prince George’s, there are multiple spots to both enjoy the sport and catch something yummy.

 

Cast your line at one of these seven Prince George’s spots:

 

  1. Head to the fishing pier at School House Pond in Upper Marlboro. This conservation area is easily accessible from town but feels like a quiet respite from the bustle. The Department of Natural Resources stocks the pond with trout every year, making it a great spot for fishing. Leave the boat at home and enjoy this 12-acre pond from the shore or the pier.

  2. Try your luck along the Patuxent River at the Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro. You can bring your own boat and get a permit, or rent a canoe at the park. Set inside the Jug Bay Natural Area, this park was established in 1962 and includes over 7,800 acres of riverside parkland. Between the river and the connected Jug Bay, you just might catch bluegill, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel, largemouth or striped bass, perch, carp, or northern snakehead. 

  3. Fish from the shore at Allen Pond. The Department of Natural Resources stocks the 10-acre pond with trout several times a year, and your fishing license must have a trout stamp to cast a line into the water. Allen Pond Park also includes an ice arena, an amphitheater, a skate park, walking trails, and multiple playgrounds, so you can add extra fun to your fishing day.

  4. Keep an eye out for official Parks and Recreation fishing trips. You’ll hop on a pontoon boat and roll along the Anacostia River, setting off from Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Park staff will teach about casting, handling fish, safety, and fish biology during these beginner-friendly sessions. You can bring your own rod or use the rods and bait provided. Look out for these events online and register in advance. 

  5. At Cash Lake in the Patuxent Research Refuge, you can fish with hook, line, and tackle, though earthworms are the only live bait allowed. The refuge encourages catch-and-release fishing and the use of barbless and circle hooks. Check out the list of days when you can fish without a recreational fishing license and follow the relevant rules about schedules and spaces.

  6. Governor Bridge Natural Area is an excellent fishing spot. The protected region includes the Patuxent River shoreline and multiple ponds, including an eight-acre pond formed from a natural depression in the land. There, you’ll find largemouth bass, managed for catch-and-release fishing. You can also launch boats on the river for more action — and this launch point is the start of the river-long Patuxent Water Trail.

  7. Lake Artemesia is a respite away from the bustle of nearby College Park, and it’s a great spot to do some fishing. It’s filled with stocked trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill. You can fish from the shoreline or off the dock. While your eyes will be on the water most of the time, be sure to look up and search for some of the many birds that call Lake Artemesia home.

 

Don’t forget your fishing license! Anyone aged 16 or older needs a valid Maryland Sport Fishing License to enjoy the activity. You can get one quickly online or at various outdoor retailers. For non-tidal waters, the 2026 fee is $32, with discounts for seniors.

 

Want to plan a weekend fishing trip? Use this itinerary for the perfect experience.