Maryland’s shining feature is the historic Chesapeake Bay. Sixteen of the state's 23 counties border the bay's tidal waters. Fishing for Maryland's blue crab is a right of passage for outdoorsmen in the state. Most head down to the bay before the sun rises over the Atlantic and either fish by line or trap.
Crabs love stinky bait just like catfish, and that’s the first ingredient for success. Recreational fishermen simply tie one end of a nylon line to the boat and throw a weighted, baited hook in the salty water. Have your long-handled dip net ready, and when the line goes tight, it's time to bring in lunch.
Wire mesh crab traps are another popular method for fishing for "blues." When the crabber feels a crab enter the trap they quickly lift the unit and retrieve the animal. Blue crab fishing lets you experience Maryland to the core.
Maryland is called "Little America," or America in miniature. Even though it's one of the nation’s smaller states, its topography reflects the nation’s topography as a whole. From seagrass-covered dunes in the east, and marshes near the bay, the landscape tapers into rolling grassy, "great plains." Hills and white oak forests appear on the Piedmont Plateau and the diorama finishes in Maryland's Rocky Mountain Region. Wild Turkey Rock is one of the highest at 3,228 feet above sea level.
The variety in Maryland's geography lends itself toward a variety of agriculture and outdoor opportunity for agriculture and sportsmen and women alike.
Maryland's eastern shore is located right in the path of the Atlantic flyway. Hunting migratory ducks and geese is a tradition steeped in Maryland's outdoor recreation culture. Some of the largest, old hardwood forests in Maryland's western mountains provide some of the best wild turkey and deer hunting.
St. Mary's River State Park is one of many examples of Maryland's whitetail deer hunting environments. Thick woodlands, dense marshes, thickets, and open fields along with mild temperatures make hunting here a memorable experience.
Bowfishing is popular on the Potomac River and the rippling waters of the Gunpowder and other rivers feature a rich heritage of fly-fishing for monster trout. The state's diversity offers optimal and diverse adventurers into Maryland's wild places.
Maryland's inner beauty is also found in its fruit-tree nurseries and fields of cut flowers. Fertile agriculture provides landowners with great income with everything from quality timber production to high-yielding corn and soybean harvests. Hidden features like wild horses on Assateague Island add to the state's charm. Legend suggests these horses escaped from wrecked Spanish Galleons in the 1600s, and the population still thrives today. Every year some of the horses are brought to market to keep the herd healthy and the island from becoming overpopulated.
