Waterbody · Maryland
Lake Needwood Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Needwood fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 80 current rules from DNR. Anglers target largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.
Rules (80)
DNR regulates 80 rules across 13 species at this water.
Largemouth Bass
Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species
Chesapeake Bay Division
- Min size
- 21"
Johnson Pond, Wicomico County
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
may be 15 inches or longer
Johnson Pond, Wicomico County.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
Only one bass in possession may be 15 inches or longer. No bass in possession can measure between 11 and 15 inches long.
Leonard Mill Pond, Wicomico County
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
may be 15 inches or longer
Leonard Mill Pond, Wicomico County.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
Only one bass in possession may be 15 inches or longer. No bass in possession can measure between 11 and 15 inches long.
Little Seneca Lake, Montgomery County
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
may be 15 inches or longer
Little Seneca Lake, Montgomery County.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
Only one bass in possession may be 15 inches or longer. No bass in possession can measure between 11 and 15 inches long.
Monocacy River—From The Potomac River Upstream To Buckeystown DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
You must immediately release any largemouth or smallmouth bass into the water where it was caught.
Monocacy River—From The Potomac River Upstream To Buckeystown Dam.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
Nontidal Division
- Min size
- 21"
Patapsco River—From Interstate 70 Downstream To Md Route 144 (Frederick Road)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
You must immediately release any largemouth or smallmouth bass into the water where it was caught.
Patapsco River—From Interstate 70 Downstream To Md Route 144 (Frederick Road).Closed
- Status
- Closed
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
Potomac River—From Dam No. 2 (Seneca Breaks) Upstream To The Mouth Of The Monocacy RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
You must immediately release any largemouth or smallmouth bass into the water where it was caught.
Potomac River—From Dam No. 2 (Seneca Breaks) Upstream To The Mouth Of The Monocacy River.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
St. Mary’s Lake, St. Mary’s County— Located On Md Route 5.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
Only one bass in possession may be 15 inches or longer. No bass in possession can measure between 11 and 15 inches long.
St. Mary’s Lake, St. Mary’s County—Located On Md Route 5
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 11"
- Slot max
- 15"
may be 15 inches or longer
Tidal Tributaries Of The Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species
Youghiogheny River Lake (Reservoir)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jun 13
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
No Harvest (Catch and Release) all other dates; No tournaments during closure. in aggregate
Maryland statewide
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 12"
in aggregate or as provided for by special regulations.
Yellow Perch
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal Tributaries
- Min size
- 9"
Chesapeake Bay Division
- Min size
- 14"
Invasive Species Division
- Min size
- 14"
Yellow Perch 14 inches
Nontidal Division
- Min size
- 14"
Nontidal Lakes And Ponds
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Possession
- 20 fish
Nontidal Rivers And Streams
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 9"
Maryland statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Channel Catfish
All AreasOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LEGALLY HUNTED FISH INCLUDE Channel Catfish
Chesapeake Bay Division
- Min size
- 30"
Nontidal Division
- Min size
- 30"
Maryland statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
All Species
Lake NeedwoodClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Mar 28
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
areas are closed to all fishing from 10 p.m. of the first date, to 6:30 a.m. of the second date, except as provided for by special regulation or where more restrictive fishing hours are posted start time is 6:30 a.m. on March 28, 2026 all other species of trout combined
Sunfish
All AreasOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LEGALLY HUNTED FISH INCLUDE Sunfish
Maryland statewide
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
- Possession
- 30 fish
in aggregate
Catfish
Conococheague CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Dip nets may only be used in areas of the Potomac River, Monocacy River and Conococheague Creek that lie within Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties to catch catfish
Monocacy RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Dip nets may only be used in areas of the Potomac River, Monocacy River and Conococheague Creek that lie within Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties to catch catfish
Potomac RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Dip nets may only be used in areas of the Potomac River, Monocacy River and Conococheague Creek that lie within Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties to catch catfish
Other Species Of Trout (All Species)
Lake Needwood
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
combined
Pumpkinseed
Chesapeake Bay Division
- Min size
- 10"
Nontidal Division
- Min size
- 10"
Black Crappie
Chesapeake Bay Division
- Min size
- 15"
Nontidal Division
- Min size
- 15"
Crappie
Maryland statewide
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
- Possession
- 30 fish
Brook Trout
Lake NeedwoodCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
all brook trout must be immediately released
Bluegill
Nontidal Division
- Min size
- 11"
Plus 1 more species. See the Maryland pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Needwood?
DNR regulates fishing on Lake Needwood.
What species can I target on Lake Needwood?
Lake Needwood is best known for largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against DNR on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .