Fishing, Crabbing, and Boating at
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge:
Regulations
Season:
Sport fishing, crabbing and boating on Blackwater National
Wildlife
Refuge are permitted within refuge boundaries from April 1 -
October
1, dawn till dusk. The refuge is closed to boating and canoeing at
all other times of the year to prevent impacts to refuge wildlife.
Airboat use is not permitted.
Waters Open to Fishing and Crabbing:
Fishing and crabbing are restricted to boats and the Key
Wallace roadway
across the Little Blackwater River. No fishing or crabbing is permitted
along Refuge shoreline or the Wildlife Drive. Blackwater NWR waters
include the Blackwater and Little Blackwater Rivers and the associated
expansive shallow water marsh areas. Navigation can be difficult
due to submerged mud flats, a meandering unmarked channel, and shallow
water tidal changes. Boat launching is not permitted from the refuge
except for canoes
and kayaks at the canoe/kayak ramp near the Route 335 bridge.
A public launching ramp is available at Shorter's Wharf.
All fishing and crab lines must be attended.
Permit:
No special refuge permits are required, however, a valid
State sport
fishing license is required to fish in the Blackwater River and the
Little
Blackwater River. State regulations apply while fishing and crabbing
on the refuge.
Species:
Fishing on the Refuge is poor to fair in the Blackwater river
for tidal
largemouth bass (black bass), striped bass (rock fish), white and
yellow
perch, black crappie, and bullhead and channel catfish. The Little
Blackwater is a very popular spot for the spring run of the white
perch.
Other species available in the waters of the refuge are carp, blue gill
and pickerel.
Fishing Near Refuge:
The most popular fishing areas are located near the bridges
over the
Little Blackwater River on Key Wallace Drive and the Blackwater River
on
Route 335. Visitors are cautioned to check Maryland Department of
Transportation and Dorchester County Highway Administration regulations
regarding fishing from bridges since regulations are subject to change.
A canoe/kayak ramp and parking
area is located near the Route 335 bridge.
