Antietam Creek

River Map

About Antietam Creek

Antietam Creek flows through the historic Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg in Washington County, offering stocked trout fishing set against some of the most significant terrain in American history. The creek receives regular rainbow and brown trout stocking through the season, and its upper limestone-influenced reaches hold some wild fish in cooler, spring-fed pools.

Regulations

Standard Maryland statewide trout regulations apply on most sections. Trout season opens the last Saturday in March; 5-fish daily creel limit, 7-inch minimum. Special regulations may apply within the National Battlefield boundary — check with NPS Antietam and Maryland DNR before fishing.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Antietam Creek with more confidence.

• Maryland Fishing Regulations for Fly Anglers

  Maryland nontidal fishing license, the separate Trout Stamp required statewide, the last Saturday in March opener, the Gunpowder Falls 7.2-mile…

• Trout Species of Maryland

  MD's wild brown trout fishery — the famously selective Gunpowder Falls below Prettyboy, the Trophy Trout Savage tailwater, the North Branch Potomac…

• How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)

  That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…