Northeast
Big Hunting Creek
Live Conditions
Big Hunting Creek — Catoctin Creek near Middletown (proxy)
7-Day Flow
→ Stable
24-Hr Pressure
29.18 inHg · → High/stable
Local Weather
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
☁️Overcast
61° / 46°
Tomorrow
☁️Overcast
65° / 47°
Tue
☁️Overcast
67° / 51°
Wed
🌦️Drizzle
70° / 50°
0.03"
Stable conditions — watch for afternoon hatches, especially BWOs on overcast stretches.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
2
Time of Day
Using: 7.62 CFS · Midges and BWOs. Brown trout spawning continues — RESPECT REDDS. Cold water slowing.
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Big Hunting Creek conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
Big Hunting Creek · November · Late Fall
Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.
Select month
Midges and BWOs. Brown trout spawning continues — RESPECT REDDS. Cold water slowing.
River Map
About Big Hunting Creek
Maryland's most storied wild trout water in Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont — one of the oldest designated fly-fishing-only streams on the East Coast, managed catch-and-release since 1974. The freestone stream holds a dense population of wild brown and native brook trout in classic Appalachian pools and riffles beneath a cathedral forest canopy. Selective fish, precise presentations, and tight back-cast lanes make this a demanding and deeply rewarding pilgrimage for serious fly fishers.
Regulations
Fly-fishing only throughout Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park boundary. Catch-and-release only — all trout must be immediately released. Artificial flies and streamers only; barbless hooks required. Open year-round within the park. Below the park boundary, standard Maryland regulations apply.
Learn More
Guides to help you fish Big Hunting 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…