Sandy Point State Park

Sandy Point State Park sits at the western foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis, and it's the upper Bay's best-known shore fishing spot: a long sandy beach, rock jetties, a fishing and crabbing pier and a point locals call "the rip," with 22 boat ramps next door. From shore you can catch spot, white perch, croaker, catfish and, in season, striped bass and bluefish; by boat, the Bay Bridge and the Magothy and Severn rivers are minutes away.

When to fish

• Spring: blue catfish off the point and the jetty near the bridge. Striped bass are catch and release or closed in spring, so release any accidental stripers in the water.
• Late May through September: spot arrive off the park's beach in late May and stay through summer; white perch, croaker and stripers mix in.
• Fall: stripers around the Sandy Point lighthouse and the main channel edges nearby.
• Night: the park allows night fishing for people actively fishing.

Where to fish

• The point ("the rip"): DNR's pick for blue catfish with medium surf tackle.
• The rock jetty near the Bay Bridge: one of the park's best shore spots.
• The beach: spot, white perch and croaker, and a place to wade.
• The fishing and crabbing pier by the ramps.
• By boat: the Sandy Point lighthouse and nearby channel edges for stripers.

How to fish it

For spot and perch, fish bloodworm (or artificial bloodworm baits) on a bottom rig. For catfish from the beach, use medium surf tackle with cut bait on a circle hook; wear knee boots so any striped bass can be released without being dragged onto the sand. In fall, boaters troll umbrella rigs along the steep channel edges near the lighthouse.

Getting there

Take the Sandy Point State Park exit from Route 50 just before the Bay Bridge (1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis). The park charges an entrance fee, fills up in summer, and requires advance day-use reservations on weekends and holidays in the busy season. The marina store sells bait and tackle, motorboats can be rented from late spring to early fall, and there's a soft launch for kayaks on the southeast side. Night fishing is allowed only for people actively fishing. You need a Maryland Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License.