10 Amazing Spots To Go Crabbing In Annapolis Maryland
I do most of my crabbing in Cecil & Kent county, but I’ve always wanted to move further south to the Annapolis area. So, I did a little research. I found 5 places to go crabbing on land and 5 bodies of water which are great for crabbing. I thought I’d share them here.
If you know of any crabbing spots I may have missed that’s within an hour of Annapolis, feel free to leave a comment. I’ll check them out myself when I’m in the neighborhood.
Shoreline Crabbing Spots
I’ll start things off with shoreline crabbing spots, specifically public piers that are perfect for crabbing.
This section is for those who do not have access to a crabbing boat. You can still catch a hefty blue crab dinner without a fancy boat & motor. All you need is the right spot.
To go crabbing from these locations, you’ll be using the classic hand line & dip net method. Collapsible traps and ring nets also work great, but they require a Maryland Recreational Fishing License.
For more information on these methods of crabbing, check out my article: How To Go Crabbing (Everything You Need to Know & More!).
To get a Maryland Recreational Fishing License, check out my article: Maryland Crabbing Regulations Casually Explained (Updated for 2020).
Sandy Point State Park
I’ll start with Sandy Point State Park. You’ll see this beautiful public park as you head West on the Bay Bridge. How could you not? The park is home to sandy beaches that don’t look like they belong on the Chesapeake Bay.
I’m going to focus on the fishing pier because that’s where the crabbing happens. But hey! Who’s to say you can’t spend some time on the beach when the crabbing gets slow?
The public fishing pier is hard to miss. Once you enter the park, take your first right, pass the bait & tackle shop, and keep going past the boat ramps. You’ll see the fishing pier on your right at the very end of the parking lot.
I like this pier because it’s in calm, tidal water. This is where crabs love to congregate. It’s also very long, which means plenty of room for crab traps.
My favorite part about this spot is the fact that there’s bathrooms. If you plan on taking your family to a crabbing pier, make sure there’s bathrooms!
A great aspect of the park is its bait & tackle shop. Sometimes, but not always, they’ll sell crab traps and bait. The shop also offers boat rentals. If you think you’re ready for a step up from the fishing pier, consider going crabbing with a rental boat.
What I don’t like about this spot is how crowded the park can get. Don’t even bother showing up on the weekend or a holiday. You won’t find a parking spot let alone a spot to go crabbing.
However, this isn’t too big of a fishing/crabbing park. People mostly come here to enjoy the beach. Whatever the case, just make sure to come here on a day that isn’t too crowded.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay to park at this spot, like any other state park.
Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park
Next up is Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park. What a mouthful!
It’s basically Sandy Point State Park without the outstanding views. You’re on the Severn River instead of the Chesapeake Bay, right next to Naval Academy Bridge.
The park is open from 7AM to 8 AM all week long.
A cool thing about this spot is that it’s right outside Annapolis. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Maryland State House. Another great feature: bathrooms! You don’t appreciate bathrooms until you go to a spot without one.
There’s one issue with this spot that I need to point out. The pier is too high off of the water to use hand lines and dip nets, unless you want to go crabbing on the rocks. This means you have to use ring nets or collapsible traps to go crabbing.
But hey! The park is beautiful. It has a nice beach and picnic area where you can cook your crabs. Just bring a pot with a steaming rack and you’re all set. Don’t forget the old bay!
Matapeake Fishing Pier
Next, we have Matapeake Fishing Pier. It’s across the Bay Bridge on Kent Island, which can be a drive for some of you. I just couldn’t resist the 650 ft fishing pier that’s built for crabbing. It’s the literal front image for my guide: A Beginners Guide To Crabbing from a Pier.
Not only is the pier long, but it’s low to the water. This makes hand lines easy to setup. Just know that they need to be long, the water can get deep at the end of the pier. It can also be rough! Make sure you go with weighted traps.
The pier is open from sunrise to sunset. Be sure to get there early on weekends as it can get crowded.
The only downside is the parking cost. You will need to pay a $2.50 hourly fee for parking. It’s a great spot, but the most expensive.
For more information, check out the Queen Anne’s County website.
Carrs Wharf
The recently renovated Carrs Wharf is a lesser-known crabbing spot in the Annapolis area. Parking’s a nightmare, but it never gets crowded. At least it’s free!
What I like about this pier is that it’s low to the water. Which, by now you know means that you can use hand lines. If you don’t have a crabbing license, this should be music to your ears. Unlicensed individuals can only use hand lines and dip nets to go crabbing.
The scenery is great. It’s a quiet spot on the Rhode River, yet close enough to the bay to get some crabbing action throughout the season.
This is not somewhere I would plan a day trip with the family. There’s nothing else to do if the crabbing gets slow. But if you’re in the area and want to catch a quick crab dinner, It’s a great spot.
Romancoke Fishing Pier
Last on our list is Romancoke Fishing Pier. This spot is the farthest away from Annapolis on this list, and in the middle of nowhere. However, the crabbing is great.
The pier is in Romancoke, a small town at the bottom of Kent Island. It’s known for its fishing pier, which is right next to a small park.
The pier has plenty of parking, bathrooms, and a beautiful scenery. Parking is free, which is a big plus.
If you wanted my pick, I would go with Romancoke Fishing Pier. It doesn’t get too crowded, has plenty of parking, and was built with crabbing in mind.
But hey! That’s my opinion. Let me know in the comments, what’s your favorite spot?
Crabbing Spots From a Boat
Who says you’re limited to going crabbing from a pier? If you own or rent a fishing boat, you can go crabbing out on the open water! This can serve as a huge advantage. Instead of dip nets and handlines, you can use dozens of topless traps and trotlines! Crabbing from a boat is much more efficient at catching crabs and, in my opinion, more enjoyable.
If you don’t have a boat, don’t worry. I go over boat rentals and crabbing charters later in this post. Just know that before you rent a boat, you need a place to take it. Consider these following bodies of water.
Magothy River
The Magothy river is just 15 minutes north of Annapolis, past the Severn River. It’s away from all the rush of the city and full of blue crabs.
If you choose this river, I would use Sandy Point State Park’s boat ramp to launch your boat.
Set your traps around Gibson Island or close to the mouth of the river. That way, incoming high or low tide will both be as effective for catching crabs.
Severn River
You can’t get any closer to Annapolis than the Severn River. If you decide to go crabbing here, I wouldn’t set your traps any further inland than the Naval Academy. You want to do your crabbing away from the city traffic.
You should use the Truxtun Park Boat Ramp to launch your boat. Check out Annapolis.gov for more information on using the boat ramp.
South River
South River is a great option to go crabbing. Similar to The Magothy River, you’re away from the hustle of Annapolis where the blue crabs swim and the boat traffic is low.
Like before, I would set your traps closer to the Bay. I would draw the line between Persimmon Point and Brewer Point. This way, you’re away from the freshwater influx that drives away blue crabs.
Chester River
Across the bay, you’ll find the Chester River. You’ll be sure to catch plenty of blue crabs by setting your traps along the coast of Kent Island or Eastern Neck Wildlife Refugee.
You’ll have to launch your boat at Jackson Creek Boat Landing. It’s a pretty spot just off of Route 50.
Eastern Bay
Last, is the Eastern Bay. If I could pick any of these bodies of water to go crabbing with my boat, I would pick this one. It’s got blue crabs written all over it.
There’s a literal bay inside this region named Crab Alley Bay. Don’t try and tell me that there’s a better spot to go crabbing than this!
There’s several boat ramps for the Eastern Bay. The closest to Annapolis is Thompson Creek Landing.
Boat Rentals
If you don’t own a boat, don’t feel bad. It’s not uncommon for people to rent a boat to go on a crabbing trip. There are plenty of boat rental services in the Annapolis Area. All you gotta do is find one that work for you.
I could list every boat rental in the Annapolis area, but it wouldn’t compare to what you would find with a simple Google search. If I had to pick one, it would be Crab Alley Marina. Their website’s a bust but they have good reviews.
Just keep in mind the rental’s location and what boats they offer. You want at least a 14 ft boat, especially if you’re taking friends and family on your crabbing trip. The boat should be close by where you’re going crabbing. If you have any issues while on the water, it’s important that you’re close by the rental.
A boat isn’t necessary. You can have plenty of luck crabbing at the five crabbing piers I mentioned earlier. Crabbing from a boat is just a different experience. It isn’t entirely better, just in its own way. I’ll let you decide.
Before Anything, Consider a Fishing Charter.
Crabbing isn’t overly complicated, but it can be overwhelming for anyone going on their first trip. You will need to buy licenses, gear, and bait to catch the crabs. Once you catch the crabs, you will need a cooler and steamer to cook them. This will add up in price, and it’s a lot to carry around. I’m also going to assume you’re vacationing here, and don’t have all this stuff on hand.
I don’t say this to deter you from crabbing, but it’s something you have to keep in mind. I recommend you ask yourself why you’re going crabbing. If you just want an experience on the water and don’t plan to make this a regular activity, I do not recommend investing all that time and money in stuff you’ll never use again.
On top of the price tag, there’s still a learning curve. If you’re new to crabbing, I wouldn’t bet on bringing in a bushel of blue crabs on your first try. It takes some experience to get good at crabbing.
Hearing all this may sound a bit discouraging, but I have a solution for you. Beginners will benefit by going crabbing and fishing with a knowledgeable guide. A fishing charter is exactly that. On a charter boat, you do not need to buy any gear as they will provide for you. This includes bait, traps, and sometimes even fishing licenses.
On Fishingbooker, you can browse hundreds of Captains in your area. The site is kind of like Airbnb but for fishermen. Instead of their house, they list their boat. On a trip, they’ll take you out on their boat, help you catch fish or crabs, and teach you a thing or two along the way. At the end of the day, most charters will fillet your catch and let you take it home. You get a cool experience and a meal at the end of the day. If you’re interested, Click here to browse fishing charters on FishingBooker.com (Affiliate Link).
