2023 Fishing Events at Piney Run Park

Piney Run Park & Nature Center
30 Martz Road, Sykesville, MD 21784
410-795-5165 or pineyrunpark@carrollcountymd.gov

ANNUAL BIG FISH CONTEST

$1,000 prize for the largest fish caught in Piney Run Park's reservoir March 1-November 30, 2023. Normal park entrance fees apply. For questions and/or details about the contest call the park office at 410-795-5165.

Qualifications

• Fish MUST be caught at Piney Run Park's reservoir
• Fish MUST be legal in size and in-season
• Fish MUST be alive
• Fish MUST be weighed in, measured, and signed off by an authorized Piney Run Park Senior Staff member. Inquire at Boathouse or Gatehouse.
• Fish are measured by length; weight will break any ties
• Fish MUST be caught during park open hours only; 7am - sunset (unless tournament or late-night fishing occurs). Inquire at Boathouse or Gatehouse for specific times.
• Fish caught during Piney Run Park fishing tournaments and special events still apply to the contest
• ONLY ONE (1) FISH CAN WIN THE TOP $1,000 PRIZE. The angler who catches the largest fish of each species at Piney Run Park's reservoir during the 2023 Park season will win a 2024 season pass.

LATE NIGHT FISHING EVENTS

1st Friday Night of each month the lake will be open until midnight for fishing. Normal park entrance fees apply. No pre-registration necessary.

2023 DATES

FISHING TOURNAMENTS

To register for any of the below tournaments, please use the online program registration site for pre-registration. Park vehicle entrance fees are waived for tournaments; however, an $10 boat launch fee applies.

Panfish Tournament - Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch
Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 7am-12pm (Park gates open at 6:30am)
$10 boat launch fee applies for private boats; vehicle entrance fee is waived.

Prize
$100 for biggest fish of each category. Biggest Fish gets a trophy.

Tournament Fee
Pre-registration: $10 per angler until 4pm on Friday, April 7, 2023
Day of: $15 per angler

Youth Fishing Derby (for ages 15 and under) 
Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 7am-11am (Park Gates open at 6:30am)
$10 boat launch fee applies for private boats; vehicle entrance fee is waived. Rental boats are available for $10 per boat, please call the office to reserve a boat. 

Tournament Fee
$5 per child

Largemouth Bass Tournament I 
Friday, June 16, 2023 from 6pm-11pm
$10 boat launch fee applies for private boats; vehicle entrance fee is waived.

Prizes
1st Place $200 + a trophy
2nd Place $150
3rd Place $100

Tournament Fee
Pre-registration: $15 per angler until 4pm on Thursday, June 15, 2023
Day of: $20 per angler

Rental boats are available for $20 per boat. Please call the office to reserve a boat.

Catfish Shootout
Friday July 14, 2023 from 6pm-11pm
$10 boat launch fee applies for private boats; vehicle entrance fee is waived.

Prize
1st Place $200 + a trophy
2nd Place $150
3rd Place $100

Tournament Fee
Pre-registration: $15 per angler until 4pm on Thursday, July 13, 2023
Day of: $20 per angler

Rental boats are available for $20 per boat. Please call the office to reserve a boat.

Largemouth Bass Tournament II 
Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 7am-12pm (Park Gates open at 6:30am)
$10 boat launch fee applies for private boats; vehicle entrance fee is waived.

Prize
1st Place $200 + a trophy
2nd Place $150
3rd Place $100

Tournament Fee
Pre-registration: $15 per angler until 4pm on Friday, August 18, 2023
Day of: $20 per angler

Rental boats are available for $20 per boat. Please call the office to reserve a boat.

Striped Bass Showdown 
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 7am-12pm (Park Gates open at 6:30am)
$10 boat launch fee applies for private boats; vehicle entrance fee is waived.

Prize
1st Place $200 + a trophy
2nd Place $150
3rd Place $100

Tournament Fee
Pre-registration: $15 per angler until 4pm on Friday, October 13, 2023
Day of: $20 per angler

Rental boats are available for $20 per boat. Please call the office to reserve a boat.