Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Choptank River Fishing Piers
Rt. 50 at Choptank River, Cambridge and Trappe, MD.
Twin fishing piers, combined length over 1.5 miles. Also good for walking.
Egypt Road Park
Off Egypt Road near CSD High School
Catch and release pond. Nature trails.
Robinson Neck Preserve
Rt. 16 Taylor's Island
Nature trails, canoeing, boat launch.
Fishing Bay
Hunting, fishing, boating and bird watching.
Le Compte
Hunting with exception of squirrels and firearm deer hunting. Roads closed to motor vehicles.
Linkwood
313 acres of woodland one-half mile east of Linkwood, MD. Hunting, bird watching & nature study.
Taylors Island
No overland routes except a small section of Smithville Road. Access is via a couty boat ramp. Hunting includes sika deer, white-tailed deer and waterfowl.
Deal Island Wildlife Management Area
Comprised mainly of tidal marsh and open waters, this 13,000 acre area also has forested wetlands and a 2,800-acre man-made pond. Deal Island is one of the best places in Maryland to watch, photograph and hunt ducks and geese. This area also supports one of the largests concentrations of herons, egrets and ibis in the state. The rare European wigeon is frequently seen among flocks of American wigeon during the winter.
Crabbing & salt water fishing. Trapping by yearly lease. Photography. Hiking & all-terrain cycling. Primitive camping.
Directions: US Route 13, MD 363 west from Princess Anne about 11 miles to Deal Island
For info: 410/543-8223.
Fairmount Wildlife Management Area
Fairmount's 4,000 acres are mostly marshland with some forested wetlands. Two man-made ponds, lush wetlands and invertebrate populations attract many species of waterfowl. In spring and fall there are migrating shorebirds including glossy ibis and black-necked stilts. Herons, egrets abound.
Waterfowl hunting. Trapping by yearly lease. Crabbing. Photography. Hiking & all-terrain cycling.
Directions: US Route 13, MD 413 south to MD 361 west.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Pocomoke Sound Wildlife Management Area
The tidal marsh and forested wetlands are excellent habitat for ducks, wading birds and shorebirds. The 900 acres offer many opportunities to enjoy native plants and animals. From April to September bird watchers come to see the glossy ibis. Herons, egrets, ducks, and osprey are also seen fishing and nesting throughout the Sound.
Waterfowl hunting. Crabbing & fishing. Photography.
Directions: US Route 13, MD 413 south to Crisfield. Boat ramp at Somers Cove Marina
For info: 410/543-8223.
South Marsh Island Wildlife Management Area
This 3,000 acre island in the Chesapeke bay is marshland with ponds and creeks. Once a hiding place for pirates during the Revolutionary War, it is home to waterfowl and other marsh life. Peregrine falcons nest on towers. Other uncommon birds are the American oystercatcher, black skimmer and black rail. Barn owls use nest boxes from April to September. Best viewed by boat, visitors can walk on the marsh but wet soil encourages hip boots or waders.
Wildfowl hunting. Crabbing & fishing. Trapping by yearly lease.
Directions: US Route 13, MD 363 to Deal Island. Boat ramp at Deal Island.
or
US Route 13, MD 413 south to Crisfield. Boat ramp at Somers Cove Marina
For info: 410/543-8223.
Wellington Wildlife Management Area
The 400 acres of forest are located in Eastern Somerset County. It has one of the largest forested tracts on Maryland's Eastern Shore which attracts a great variety of wildlife including woodcock, hairy and downy woodpeckers, and many species of warblers. The forests provide critical nesting area for songbirds migrating from Central and South America. Many are vibrantly colored, like the scarlet tanager and the yellow-throated vireo. Occasional fields attract bobwhite quail, weasel, white-tailed deer and cottontail rabbits. Small flocks of wild turkeys are sometimes seen foraging in the grassy fields. Small ponds and wet fields and forest areas are home to mink, frogs and turtles.
Hunting. Hiking & all-terrain cycling. Fishing in freshwater ponds. Bird watching & nature photography.
Directions: US Route 13, take King Miller Road east to Old Princess Anne-Westover Road, south to Dublin Road and to the area.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Johnson Wildlife Management Area
Forests and fields make up this 115-acre area which was originally used to raise game animals for release into the wild. It's a favorite spot for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Many species of colorful songbirds use the forest for nesting. Yellow-throated vireos, black and white warblers, downy and hairy woodpeckers, and red-eyed vireos fill the forest with song.
Hunting (bow and arrow only). Hiking. Bird watching. Photography.
Directions: US Route 50, MD 12 southeast to Johnson Rd, east to Mt. Olive Rd and Johnson WMA. Alternate route: Mt. Hermon Rd (MD 350) east to Airport Rd, south to Johnson Rd, east to Mt. Olive Rd to Johnson WMA.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Nanticoke Wildlife Management Area
This 1700-acre tract along the Nanticoke Riverhas helped to conserve habitat along this mostly tidal river. You'll spot bald eagles--a pair built a nest near Quantico Creek, adjacent to the WMA and come back each year to nest. You'll also see barn owls in the marshes and wild turkeys in the fields.
Hunting. Trapping by yearly lease. Hiking, bird watching and photography. Fishing.
Directions: US Route 50, MD 347 or MD 349 to Quantico, MD. Go west on Cherry Walk Road to Nutter's Neck Road and to the Nanticoke River WMA.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Isle of Wight Wildlife Management Area
A scenic island in Assowoman Bay, it is dedicated to wildlife conservation. Made up of 200 acres of marsh and forests it is a good place to find waterfowl and marsh birds. Great blue herons and green herons are found along the shore. Black ducks, buffleheads, scaup, brant, Canada and snow geese, and swans can also be seen here. The common loon is found here in winter. A county-owned boat ramp provides access for small boats. Larger boats can launch in Ocean City.
Fishing. Crabbing. Bird watching. Photography. Hunting in portable blinds. Trapping rights leased yearly.
Directions: US Route 50, MD 90 east to Isle of Wight WMA.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Maryland Marine Properties
This is a great place to watch the fishing, crabbing and work boats that sail in and out of the adjacent Pocomoke River. The 1,000-acre area is mostly marsh with forest, forested wetlands and fields. Wildlife include osprey nesting on channel markers. Sunflower fields provide food for wintering doves and songbirds. Trails wind around the sunflower fields and hikers will also be drawn to the beach for shells.
Hunting. Hike and all-terrain bike rides. Fishing. Crabbing. Bird watching. Photography. Trapping by yearly lease.
Directions: US Route 13, MD 667 west to Back Shelltown Road and Maryland Marine Properties WMA.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Pocomoke River WMA
The 500-acre area lies within the Great Cypress Swamp, one of the northernmost cypress swamps in the US. The Pocomoke River is a "Wild and Scenic River" and is protected from development. that would alter it or its wetlands. Wild turkeys live on its banks and are seen in the forest and clearings. Woodcocks, woodpeckers, warblers and other songbirds are found here. Prothonotary warblers are found along the river banks in the fall.
Hunting. Trapping by yearly lease. Hiking and all-terrain bike riding on unmarked trails through forest. Boating in the river. Sport fishing: alligator gar, catfish, crappie, rockfish, etc.. Bird watching. Photography.
Directions: US Route 13, US 113 north to Pocomoke River WMA.
For info: 410/543-8223.
Sinepuxent Islands Wildlife Managment Area
Many sea birds call this area home. The islands were created from Chesapeake Bay dredging. There were 29 originally and only four remain. They are designated for wildlife protection. Reached only by boat, the island boasts several species of birds including royal terns, black skimmers, brown pelicans, ducks and herons. Two of the islands are north of the US Route 50 Bridge, in sight of Ocean City.
Bird watching. Photography. Hunting in fall. Fishing.
Directions: Accessible by boat the islands are located in Worcester County's coastal bays. Public ramps in and around Ocean City provide access to Heron and Skimmer islands. To reach the four southern-most islands take US Route 50, MD 611 south to South Point Rd and the boat ramp.
For info: 410/543-8223.