The FishingBooker platform released its America’s Best Fishing States Index for 2026 on February 25, 2026, ranking Maryland second nationwide among all 50 states for recreational fishing quality, marking the state’s highest position in the study’s four-year history.
Maryland earned 122.5 out of a maximum 225 points, finishing just 0.5 points behind top-ranked Florida (123 points). The state climbed steadily from 11th in 2024, 7th in 2025, to 2nd in 2026, representing one of the most consistent upward trajectories among top-ranked states.
FishingBooker, the world’s largest platform for booking fishing trips with over 55,500 options in more than 2,530 destinations since 2013, conducts the annual index using 17 criteria grouped into four pillars: Anglers’ Interest, Facilities, Financial, and Geography. Five criteria draw from FishingBooker’s internal data on trips, reviews, and reports, while 12 use publicly available sources. Each state scores 1-10 per criterion, weighted and totaled.
Maryland excelled in Geography with 22.5 points, driven by extensive water coverage—roughly one-fifth of the state—including the Chesapeake Bay, a premier estuarine system, plus rivers, tidal areas, and nearshore Atlantic access. Anglers’ Interest scored 37.5 out of 55, indicating strong demand from residents and visitors. Financial accessibility reached 46.5 out of 85, positioning Maryland as relatively cost-effective compared to other high-ranking coastal states.
The state scored lower in Facilities at 16 out of 40, an area where improvements could narrow the gap to first place in future rankings.
The Chesapeake Bay anchors Maryland’s reputation as an East Coast leader for striped bass, a flagship species drawing anglers nationwide. Coastal and nearshore waters offer black seabass, flounder, tautog, mackerel, cobia, and black drum. Offshore trips target tuna and white marlin. Inland options include catfish, perch, and bass in rivers, lakes, and creeks.
The top 10 states in the 2026 index: 1. Florida (123 points); 2. Maryland (122.5); 3. Michigan (119.5); 4. North Carolina and South Carolina (tie, 115.5); 6. Louisiana (113); 7. Texas (112); 8. Massachusetts (111.5); 9. New York (110); 10. Wisconsin (109).
In Southern Maryland, counties bordering the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River—such as St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles, and Prince George’s—benefit directly from the rankings through boosted charter bookings, tourism to ports like Solomons, Chesapeake Beach, and Point Lookout, and support for local tackle shops, marinas, and guides reliant on striped bass migrations and seasonal runs. The Chesapeake’s productivity sustains regional economies tied to recreational fishing, with the index highlighting accessible, diverse opportunities that draw visitors year-round.
The report emphasizes balanced performance across categories rather than dominance in one area, underscoring Maryland’s competitive edge in accessibility and natural assets amid rising costs affecting other destinations.
Full details, methodology, state breakdowns, and assets are available on the FishingBooker site.