Maryland Proposes Trout Harvest at Two Ponds and Tighter Stream Protections

Maryland is proposing more room to keep stocked trout at two ponds while tightening protections on sections of the lower Savage River and Owens Creek. The Department of Natural Resources proposal appeared in the October 2 Maryland Register. It is not an enacted rule change: public comments are due by 11:59 p.m. November 2, 2026.

Governors Bridge Pond in Prince George’s County and Waterworks Park Pond in Anne Arundel County would become designated put-and-take trout waters, with a five-trout daily limit per person and no closed trout season. At Waterworks, anglers would be allowed to keep their trout limit while still having to release every other species. DNR says the pond changes would make regulations more consistent with other stocked ponds in the region and increase opportunities to harvest trout.

On the lower Savage River in Garrett County, the proposal would replace trophy-trout designations with catch-and-return rules. The stretch from Savage River Reservoir Dam downstream to the lower suspension bridge, known as Allegany Bridge, would be limited to artificial fly fishing. The approximately 2.7-mile stretch between that bridge and the downstream side of the Route 135 bridge would allow artificial lures, but prohibit treble hooks and require barbless hooks. All trout caught in these designated stretches would have to be released.

DNR’s explanation points to monitoring that suggests trout rarely reach the existing minimum harvest sizes. The agency also says a 2025 creel survey recorded no trout harvest on the river despite substantial fishing effort. It describes catch-and-return management as a closer fit to the fishery and a way to provide additional protection.

In Frederick County, the proposal would add the upper Owens Creek waters on Catoctin Mountain Park property to the catch-and-return, artificial-fly-only list. Trout, including brown trout, would have to be released. DNR cites declining brook trout numbers in that section as the reason for stronger protection; the proposal does not apply that designation to the entire creek.

For anglers who keep fish for the table, the pond provisions are the proposed harvest opportunity. The stream provisions go the other direction. Neither should be treated as permission to change how you fish today. Review the official proposal and use the comment form on DNR’s Changes to Fishing Regulations page before the deadline; continue following the rules currently in force.

Illustrative file photograph: brook trout photographed by Ryan Hagerty / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency lists this image as Public Domain. It is not a photograph of the Maryland waters covered by this proposal.