Located in Washington County
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Physical/ Habitat Description - Originating on the east slope of Catoctin Mountain in Frederick County, Fishing Creek flows east and becomes a direct tributary of the Monocacy River. The high gradient headwaters are split between two forks, both of which flow entirely through the Frederick City Watershed property before merging just upstream of Fishing Creek Reservoir.
Fish Species - Native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) inhabit both the Right Fork and Left Fork of Fishing Creek upstream of the Frederick City water supply reservoir, sustained entirely by natural
reproduction. The Left Fork of Fishing Creek is stocked annually in the spring with adult, hatchery rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as part of the Put-and-Take program.
Restrictions - A five trout per day creel limit applies to the Left Fork upstream of Fishing Creek Reservoir, while a two trout per day creel is in effect on the Right Fork. Brook trout can not be harvested in either Fork and must be immediately returned to the water. Fishing is not permitted in Fishing Creek Reservoir.
History/Access - Stocking of rainbow trout in the Right Fork of Fishing Creek as part of the Put-and-Take program ceased in 1990 because of the very small size of the stream and to protect the native brook trout population. The brook trout population in both Forks of Fishing Creek are the strongest within Frederick County. The greatest current threat to brook trout habitat within the Frederick City Watershed is the influx of sediment from gravel roads and trails carried by stormwater runoff. The Maryland Forest Service, the City of Frederick, the Frederick County Roads Department, and Fishing and Boating Services are working to address key stormwater issues in the watershed to reduce sedimentation. In 2019, all public roads within the watershed that were maintained by Frederick County Department of Highway and Facility Maintenance were transferred to the City of Frederick. Gates were placed on two major access roads to the watershed to limit vehicular access to one point on Mountaindale Road. Delauter Road, which crossed the Left Fork of Fishing Creek by way of a ford, was closed and gated off. This was a known problem area that transported sediment directly into the stream.
Contact - Comments and questions regarding fishery management of Fishing Creek can be directed to:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fishing and Boating Services
10932 Putman Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788
301-898-5443
customerservice.dnr@maryland.gov
