Fishing at Howard Creek, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

• Overview

  In Maryland, Howard Creek belongs to Anne Arundel County. Tidal water begins 0.6 miles from here. Head to Parole, 1.9 miles away, for anything you forgot. It is 21 miles to Baltimore, the nearest city. Near neighbours: Saefern Lake some 1.1 miles off, Harts Cove out at 1.2 miles, Potomac River Reservoir some 2.5 miles off, Acton Cove out at 2.7 miles and Chase Pond some 4.3 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Howard Creek

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The tide is the timetable on this water; two hours either side of the change usually fish hardest. Log jams gather bait and everything that eats it. Flow decides everything here: read the seams before you cast. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Howard Creek rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 34°F to 77°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Howard Creek fishes to that pattern most years. A rising level usually fishes better than a falling one.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. A boat ramp sits half a mile away, so trailered boats can get on. There is a marina, Saefern Community Marina, half a mile away. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. A platform or pier sits within 90 yards. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Saefern Lake is 1.1 miles distant. Where Howard Creek is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.