It’s a fishing day

Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area fishing conditions · Maryland

Tomorrow, 7 am–1 pmSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 55.

Frost Advisory until Monday 9 am
Log a trip here
Right now: 55 for smallmouth bass, marginalTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, 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. 553 am
  2. 55
  3. 55
  4. 556 am
  5. 45
  6. 45
  7. 459 am
  8. 47
  9. 47
  10. 5512 pm
  11. 55
  12. 55
  13. 553 pm
  14. 55
  15. 47
  16. 456 pm
  17. 45
  18. 45
  19. 459 pm
  20. 45
  21. 45
  22. 45Tue
  23. 45
  24. 47
  25. 473 am
  26. 47
  27. 47
  28. 476 am
  29. 55
  30. 55
  31. 559 am
  32. 55
  33. 55
  34. 5512 pm
  35. 47
  36. 47
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Smallmouth bass range 55–78°

Wind
1 mph

From the northwest

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:28 am

Sky
Mostly Clear

No rain expected

Air
38°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.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

55MarginalTomorrow, 7 am–1 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Smallmouth bass is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum, 5 bass a day combined, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February; catch and release at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on smallmouth bass

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

43Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 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.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov. More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

35Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Brown trout feeds less actively under bright moon. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 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 temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.40 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:28 am
  • Sunset today6:14 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 Patapsco River through the Daniels area of Patapsco Valley State Park is a stocked trout stream with good smallmouth populations in the warmer months. Scenic gorge setting with easy bank access.

Stocked trout in spring; catch-and-keep allowed. Smallmouth fishing picks up in summer. Parking at Daniels Area lot off Old Frederick Road.

Nearby

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

Liberty Reservoir7 mi · MarylandBest now until 7 amFrost Advisory
55Marginal
Loch Raven Reservoir18 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 2 am–2 pmFrost Advisory
55Marginal
Cox's Point Park22 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 3 am–3 pm
100Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area 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 Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area?

Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass. 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 Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area?

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 Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area 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 Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area have?

Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Stocked trout in spring; catch-and-keep allowed. Smallmouth fishing picks up in summer. Parking at Daniels Area lot off Old Frederick Road.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area?

Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area. 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 Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area tidal water?

No. Patapsco Valley State Park — Daniels Area is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.