It’s a fishing day

Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls fishing conditions · Maryland

Sit it outno brown trout window clears the bar in 36 hours

Water is 51°, inside their 45–68° range.

Frost Advisory until Monday 9 am
Log a trip here
Right now: 47 for brown trout, sit it outTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Brown trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 473 am
  2. 47
  3. 47
  4. 476 am
  5. 37
  6. 37
  7. 399 am
  8. 37
  9. 39
  10. 3912 pm
  11. 47
  12. 47
  13. 473 pm
  14. 47
  15. 47
  16. 396 pm
  17. 39
  18. 39
  19. 399 pm
  20. 47
  21. 47
  22. 47Tue
  23. 47
  24. 47
  25. 473 am
  26. 47
  27. 47
  28. 476 am
  29. 47
  30. 47
  31. 479 am
  32. 47
  33. 47
  34. 4712 pm
  35. 47
  36. 47
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
51°F

Brown trout range 45–68°

Wind
2 mph

From the west

Flow
29.7 cfs

steady · +3% in 24 h

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:27 am

Sky
Patchy Fog

No rain expected

Air
41°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Maryland non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

51°
35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Inside brown trout's active range. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Catch and release only today. Maryland statewide trout rule: 2 a day in any combination (4 in possession), no minimum size, open all year. Put-and-take areas and special trout management areas have their own rules. Brown trout may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperature51°F
  • River29.7 cfs · steady · +3% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.43 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:27 am
  • Sunset today6:12 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 7:30 am–8:30 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 5:40 pm–6:40 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

Maryland DNR, Oct 14

Freshwater Fishing. The fall trout stocking program continues this week with new locations being stocked. Anglers should keep in mind that not every trout management water will be stocked and are encouraged to check the most updated stocking list on the trout stocking website . The stockings are posted on the afternoon of each stocking day. Fishing for smallmouth bass in the upper Potomac is being enjoyed by anglers this week. Cooler water temperatures are more comfortable for smallmouth bass, and they are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish. Tubes, small crankbaits, and soft plastic swimbaits are all good choices when fishing current breaks and underwater ledges and boulders.

Quoted from the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report. Reports are what anglers and biologists saw that week, not a forecast.

Licenses and rules: MD DNR · trout stocking · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

The Big Falls section of the Gunpowder River is one of Maryland's premier wild trout streams — a designated Catch-and-Return, artificial-lures-only fishery. Wild brown trout are the main draw; access via Gunpowder Falls State Park.

Catch-and-return, artificial lures only in the Quality Fishery section. No bait. Parking at Big Falls Road or Masemore Road. Popular — arrive early on weekends.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Loch Raven Reservoir6 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 2 am–2 pmFrost Advisory
55Marginal
Mariner Point Park12 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 2 am–2 pmFrost Advisory
87Go
Dundee Creek Marina (Gunpowder Falls SP)15 mi · MarylandBest now until tomorrow 3 pm
100Go
Miami Beach Park16 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 4 am–3 pm
100Go
Flying Point Park16 mi · MarylandBest now until tomorrow 3 pm
100Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls you need a Maryland non-tidal fishing license issued by MD DNR (and a separate Maryland trout stamp if targeting trout in non-tidal waters). See the agency's current rules: https://dnr.maryland.gov/pages/service_fishing_license.aspx

What fish are commonly targeted at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls?

Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls is listed on this site for 1 commonly-targeted species: Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls have?

Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Catch-and-return, artificial lures only in the Quality Fishery section. No bait. Parking at Big Falls Road or Masemore Road. Popular — arrive early on weekends.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls?

Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls tidal water?

No. Gunpowder Falls — Big Falls is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.