Catoctin Mountain Park - Fish (U.S. National Park Service)

Two high gradient streams and their tributaries support 17 known species of fish. Darters, dace, sculpins, and minnows are commonly found while elusive species like the American eel often escape even the most careful observer. However, it is the park’s population of trout that most interests visitors.

Dispersed throughout the various streams of Catoctin there are brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. In the headwaters and tributaries of Big Hunting Creek there exists a population of wild native brook trout. Brook trout are the only trout species native to this region. A wild population is one that naturally spawns in the streams and is not stocked by humans. Big Hunting Creek also contains brown trout and rainbow trout which have ben introduced below the dam to enhance the stream’s recreational fishing. Owens Creek, located on the northern side of the park, contains populations of brown and brook trout, with brook being the more abundant of the two.

Annual trout population surveys are done during the summer months through electro shocking. These surveys, performed by the National Park Service and Maryland State Department of Natural Resources, provide important information such as population size, species diversity, and overall health.

Other fish species in Catoctin’s streams include the American eel, white sucker, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, blue gill, black crappie, mottled sculpin, longnose dace, roseyside dace, cutlips minnow, blacknose dace, creek chub, common shiner, fantail darter, and rainbow trout.

Fishing is permitted in Catoctin Mountain Park. Big Hunting Creek and its tributaries are fly-fishing use only and are subject to special Catch and Return regulations. A Maryland fishing license and trout stamp are required for anglers over the age of 16. Other streams in the park coincide with the regulations set by the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources . Fishing regulations are strictly enforced.