The 9th Street Fishing Pier has fish?cleaning tables equipped with hoses for easy clean-up, along with great views of the Bay. More Details...
Inshore Fishing Species
- Flounder
- Striped Bass
- Rockfish
- Bluefish
- Mackerel
- Weakfish
- Black & Red Drum
- Croaker
Fishing in Ocean City, Maryland
Some of the Best Offshore Fishing on the East Coast and Active & Accessible Inshore Fishing!
Ocean City, Maryland, is your ultimate fishing destination! Whether you’re an experienced angler or just throwing your line in the water to experience something new, our inshore and offshore fishing offers a rewarding fishing experience.
Offshore Fishing Species
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Bluefin Tuna
- Bigeye Tuna
- Bluefish
- White & Blue Marlin
- Mahi-mahi
- Sharks
- Swordfish
- Wahoo
Why Fish in Ocean City?
- White Marlin Capital of the World: We’re not just bragging! Ocean City is renowned for its white marlin population, we host the White Marlin Open each August, and catching the first White Marlin of the season can earn you up to $15,000!
- Diverse Fishing Styles: Choose your adventure!
- Inshore Fishing: Explore calm bays and waterways for flounder, trout, blue fish, Black Sea Bass, and more. Usually inshore fishing is within a few miles of the beach or in the coastal bays behind the beach.
- Saltwater Adventures with Captain Tony offers trips for 3, 4 and 6 hours.
- Fish from the Inlet Shore
- 7 Fishable Piers
- Surfcasting
- Offshore Fishing: Venture into the Atlantic for marlin, tuna, dolphin, wahoo, sharks, and other big game fish. Offshore fishing is usually done more than 10 miles off the beach in deeper water.
- The Angler is a popular head-boat where you can go out for varying length trips to catch flounder, Black Sea Bass, mahi-mahi and other species.
- Surf Fishing: Relax on our beautiful beaches while reeling in striped bass, croakers, flounder or bluefish.
- Inshore Fishing: Explore calm bays and waterways for flounder, trout, blue fish, Black Sea Bass, and more. Usually inshore fishing is within a few miles of the beach or in the coastal bays behind the beach.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Fishing isn’t just for grown-ups! Bring the whole family along and create lasting memories.
- More Than Just Fishing: Ocean City has lots to offer when you are not fishing. Take advantage of our famous boardwalk, delicious seafood, and stunning ocean views.
Plan Your Fishing Trip Today!
Where to Fish In Ocean City
The most popular and well know inshore fishing spots in Ocean City are the Inlet, the Piers, and the beach, which all produce excellent fish and are easily accessible.
Fishing Piers & Inshore Fishing
There are 7 piers or boardwalks from which to fish in Ocean City, Maryland. Northside Park and the 3rd Street boardwalk both offer a free fishing zone from DNR.
- Route 50 Bridge
- Ocean City Fishing Pier
- Inlet Park in downtown Ocean City
- Third St. Pier (bayside – no fishing license required**)
- Ninth St. Pier (bayside)
- Northside Park, 125th St. (bayside – no fishing license required**
Fishing the Inlet
The inlets tidal currents make for an ideal fishing spot as larger fish wait and hunt the smaller fish riding the currents. There is plenty of space on the rocks to accommodate the many fisherman that come. Park at the Inlet lot and you're there. You'll be fishing in minutes.
Notes: It may not be the best spot to bring small children. The rocks can be slippery and a dangerous with the inlet currents.
Fishing the Route 90 Bridge
The Route 90 bridge sits in the Assawoman Bay. You can't fish from the bridge but you can fish under it by boat. The best time to fish under the bridge is a couple of hours before to a couple of hours after the high or low tide times.
Notes:
Fishing the Route 50 Bridge
The route 50 bridge crosses the Isle of Wight Bay and is close to the inlet. Fishing the pilings from the bridge or my boat for flounder, bluefish, croaker, tautog, triggerfish, striped bass.
Notes: A bridge net is needed to fish from the bridge.
Northside Park
125th Street, Ocean City, MD
Free public fishing pier. No fishing license required to fish the pier at Northside Park.
Notes: No license needed. A great family fishing spot. The park also has a great playground and large grass area.
Surfcasting & Surf Fishing from the Beach
In Ocean City, fishing is prohibited on public beaches from Memorial Day weekend Friday to September 30, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m..
You may not be within 50 yards of anyone swimming, walking, sitting, lying, surfing, or standing on the beach.
Notes: No license needed. A great family fishing spot. The park also has a great playground and large grass area.
Fishing FAQs
Here are all your questions about fishing in Ocean City, Maryland answered…
Fishing in Ocean City
Everybody needs a license unless the following conditions exist:
If a person;
- is less than 16 years of age;
- is a registered angler with the State of Maryland and is fishing from a boat holding a valid tidal/salt water license issued by Potomac River Fisheries Commission, the Commonwealth of Virginia or the State of Maryland.
- possesses a valid commercial tidal fish license;
- is fishing from a licensed commercial fishing pier;
- is a registered angler with the State of Maryland and is fishing on a free fishing pier;
- is the owner or the owners non-paying guest fishing from private real property or an attached pier in the Potomac River;
- is fishing from a licensed charter boat;
- is fishing on a free fishing day – the first two Saturdays in June and July 4;
- is a registered angler with the State of Maryland and possesses a Virginia Saltwater recreational fishing license; or
- possesses a Potomac River Fisheries Commission recreational fishing license.
- Is a resident of MD, on active duty with the armed forces, on leave with official leave orders;
Category:
Fishing in Ocean City
The White Marlin Open has several rules designed to minimize the number of fish that are actually killed and brought to the scales. Then, the tournament encourages the anglers to donate their catches to charities in the Ocean City area who help feed those in need. Catch n Carry processes and flash freezes the fish before distributing the meat to 3 local charities including the Maryland Food Bank. For more information, you can read this article: https://www.oceancity.com/the-fate-of-fish-at-the-white-marlin-open-in-ocean-city-a-conservation-success-story/
- Ocean City Fishing Pier: 401 S Atlantic Ave
- No license is required
- 9th Street Fishing Pier: 304 9th St
- Oceanic Fishing Pier: 710 S Philadelphia Avenue
- Free Fishing Boardwalk between 3rd and 4th at Bayside Park at 3rd Street in Ocean City. (Free fish zone)
- Northside Park Fishing Pier: (Free fish zone) 200 125th Street.
- Inlet Park – rocks along the inlet – accessed from the inlet parking lot
Category:
Fishing in Ocean City
We have put all those answers together for you in this article: https://www.oceancity.com/maryland-dnr-fishing-regulations/
Public Boat Launches in Ocean City, MD
Ocean City Boat Ramps
- Assateague Island Park (Rt. 611 at Assateague Island Bridge)
- Gum Point Road (off Route 589)
- Ocean City Commercial Harbor (Sunset Avenue in West Ocean City)
- North Ocean City, 87th Street bayside
Charter Fishing & Head Boats
Daily Boat Rentals
Ocean City MarinasLong Term and Short Term Boat Slips | Fuel Docs | Marine Supplies & Service
Fuel Docks
- OC Fuel 247 at Harbor Island
- White Marlin Marina
