Nite Bite Fishing at Centennial Park

Have you ever wanted to fish Centennial Lake at night? Now's your chance! Join Howard County Recreation & Parks for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Bring your own fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellant, flashlight or lantern, chair, or boat. Under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

$5.00 fee person will be collected on-site at check in. All anglers MUST be checked in on site at the boat launch no later than 7pm to participate.

Click on the button to RSVP for any of the Nite Bite Fishing dates you plan to attend. This page will show the current number of available spots for each date/time. Using this sign up page speeds the checkin process and allows us to notify you in case of any changes to the program. Your name, email, and any comments will only be available to Recreation & Parks staff overseeing the program, not other anglers on this sign up page.

Example: the Bass Family has three anglers that want to attend Nite Bite Fishing (Billie, Betty & Brian). When signing up for each Nite Bite date, Billie will select the date(s) they want, click "Submit & Sign Up," enter "Billie, Betty and Brian Bass" in the comment box AND select quantity "3" to show that all three of them plan to attend on that date(s). Billie will then finish that signup by entering his name & email address then clicking "Sign Up Now." You should receive an email confirmation.

This sign up does not replace check in on-site. All participants MUST be physically checked in at the boat launch by 7pm and must pay the $5 per person fee at each date. Check-in opens at 6pm.

Questions? Contact Matt Medicus, mmedicus@howardcountymd.gov

Additional Program Information:
On the day of the event, call this program status line to be sure Nite Bite Fishing is still running as scheduled: 410-313-4451: select option 1 THEN option 4. Inclement weather forecasted near the start of the event may result in cancellation and weather is not the only factor that can affect the program.

NO equipment or instruction is provided for drop-in Nite Bite Fishing ($5/person). Don't have your own rod/reel, new to fishing or need a refresher on fishing basics? Register for a Friday Night Fishing Clinic on select Nite Bite dates. Pre-registration required; CLICK HERE for available classes in our online registration system. Friday Night Fishing Clinics require advanced signup and you do NOT signup on this SignUpGenius page if you are registered for the CLINIC. Contact us for details.

Centennial Park closes to the public at sunset. Nite Bite Fishing participants must be checked in by 7pm. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 7pm and the park is still open, you may fish on your own until sunset but will have to leave the park when it closes.

All fishing and boating regulations for Centennial Lake apply. Anglers age 16 & up must have a valid fishing license and boaters must have the proper lights (red/green bow and white stern light) to participate. Centennial Park boating and fishing regulations can be found here: www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/parks-playgrounds-trails#additional-park-information.

Maryland law requires anyone age 16 or older to have a Maryland Fishing License. This license must be on the individual anytime the individual is fishing. Licenses are available at many regional sporting goods retailers, or online from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at: https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrcompassportal  You need a non-tidal freshwater fishing license to fish Centennial Lake ($20.50/yr for MD residents).

Anglers under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. $5 fee is for everyone remaining in the park after hours during this event (includes non-fishing parents/guardians).

Check in/fee collection takes place at the boat launch/ramp in Centennial Park South: 10000 Route 108, Columbia, MD 21042. You must enter the park through this South entrance ONLY and check in by 7pm. All other park gates will close and lock at sunset.
Directions: Take Route 29 to Route 108 West. Follow Route 108 past the entrance to Centennial Park East to the stoplight across from Ten Mills Road. Turn right into the park. Once in the park, make the first right and the boat launch parking area will be on your left. Look for the check-in for Nite Bite Fishing. Please be sure all valuables in your vehicle are out of sight before heading to the park.

This is a Howard County Recreation & Parks program. See below for a printable flier.