Water Access at Shady Side Park

Shady Side Park offers both fishing and cartop boat launching for those looking to explore the Parish Creek. Visitors can access the water via a paved trail and enjoy fishing in river-fed ponds located right off the path. Review the details below to plan your trip, including important information on trail access and equipment recommendations.

A view from the water looking toward a small, natural water access launch. A mulched dirt path leads out from beneath a canopy of shady trees, opening up to calm water. The shoreline is framed by tall green marsh grasses on the left and dense leafy bushes on the right, with exposed tree roots visible along the muddy bank.

Cartop Boat Launch

Located on Parish Creek, the Shady Side cartop boat launch is reached via a three minutes informal walk from the parking lot past the ballfield and through a split rail fence near the tree lines. Since there is no drive-up access and the path involves dirt and possibly mud, using a kayak cart or wagon is highly recommended.

  • Park hours are open sunrise to sunset
  • No swimming
  • No camping
  • No trailers
  • No alcohol
  • No fires
  • No overnight parking
  • All trash must be taken with you or place in a trash receptacle

What types of boats qualify as "car top boats?"

In general a car top boat refers to a canoe or kayak, although a boat that can be carried on or in a passenger vehicle that can be transported by hand to the water may qualify as a car top boat. None of the car top boat launch sites has a ramp for trailered boats. Please note that some sites are a long carry to the water or are difficult to access. 

Are certain inflatable kayaks allowed at car top boat launch sites?

Inflatable kayaks must have multiple air chambers and be made of heavy duty PVC-coated polyester, Hypalon or similar material. These kayaks are meant to perform in a similar manner as rigid kayaks. Inflatable toy kayaks or rafts which are not designed to be placed in moving or rough water are prohibited from using the County's car top boat launch sites. There is a distinct difference between these two different types of inflatables and for safety purposes you should never launch any craft that is not designed for the body of water being entered.

Fishing

Anglers will find shoreline located just past the tree line, though fishing here can be a bit of a challenge. The water is heavily vegetated, making it easy to snag hooks, and the fish population is relatively sparse. This creek is fed by the West River, meaning they host species common to the region; Striped Bass are frequently seen, there are also reports of White Perch, Blue Catfish, Atlantic Croaker, and the occasional Sport fish. While not an ideal destination for high-volume fishing, it offers a quiet spot for those looking to cast a line in a natural, river-fed environment.

Fishing in the park is regulated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. A Maryland fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older. A fishing license can be obtained at most local bait and tackle shops and local Walmart stores.

You must follow all creel limits when fishing at Shady Side Park, and abide by all Department of Natural Resources regulations. Learn more about Maryland Fishing Regulations.

Fishing in the parks is regulated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. A Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License is required for fishing in tidal waters. A Maryland Freshwater fishing License is required for fishing in non-tidal waters. A fishing license may be obtained at most local bait and tackle shops.

Visit Maryland Fishing Regulations for current info on state fishing regulations. In addition some of the Anne Arundel County Park facilities require permits or fee for entry, or may have special catch and release areas. More info is provided in the listing for the individual facility. Anne Arundel County Park Rangers patrol the park facilities.

  • Keep only the fished needed and within creel and size limits.
  • Do not pollute - Properly dispose of trash. Mono fishing line can be a disaster for wildlife. 
  • Sharpen angling and boating skills.
  • Observe angling and boating safety regulations.
  • Respect other anglers' rights.
  • Observe park rules and regulations and respect private property owners' rights.
  • Pass on knowledge and angling skills. Take a kid fishing!!
  • Support local conservation efforts.
  • Never stock fish or plants into public water.
  • Promote the sport of angling.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reminds anglers not to throw unwanted items overboard. 
 
While more than 400,000 anglers fish the Chesapeake Bay each spring and summer, approximately 3,600 pairs of osprey are busy building nests and rearing young. Ospreys line their nests with both natural and man made materials. Adult birds and their young have been found entangled in fishing line and impaled with hooks. Anglers can reduce injuries or deaths to osprey and other wildlife by simply disposing their broken lines, lures and hooks in trash containers. 

Types of Fish at Shady Side Park

An illustration of a striped bass (Morone saxatilis) isolated on a plain white background. The fish is viewed from the side, facing left. It has a streamlined, silver-and-white body characterized by several distinct, dark horizontal stripes running along its upper sides from the gills to the tail. The fish features two prominent dorsal fins on its back, a pointed snout, and translucent, pale fins.

Rockfish

An illustration of a white perch (Morone americana) isolated on a plain white background. The fish is viewed from the side, facing left, showcasing its deep, compact body with a slightly sloping forehead. Its scales are silvery-white with subtle hints of olive-green and gold iridescent highlights along its upper back. It features two closely connected dorsal fins—the front one tall and spiny—and translucent fins with a touch of dusky gray on the lower anal fin.

White Perch 

An illustration of a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) isolated on a plain white background. The fish is viewed from the side, facing left, displaying a sleek, elongated body with a slate-blue to silvery-gray back that transitions to a smooth white belly. Unlike the channel catfish, its skin is completely unspotted. It features prominent whiskers (barbels) around its mouth, a deeply forked tail fin with a dusky margin, a high dorsal fin, and a distinctly long, straight-edged anal fin running along its rear.

Blue Catfish

An illustration of a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) isolated on a plain white background. The fish is viewed from the side, facing left, showing a slender, elongated body with a olive-brown back fading to a lighter, silvery-white belly. Its sides are speckled with small, scattered dark spots. It features prominent whiskery barbels around its mouth, a deeply forked tail fin, a single high dorsal fin, and a long, rounded anal fin along its lower backside.

Channel Catfish

An illustration of an Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) isolated on a plain white background. The fish is viewed from the side, facing left, showing an elongated body with a slightly elevated back and a downwards-pointed mouth. Its scales are iridescent silvery-white, patterned with numerous small, brownish-gold spots that form irregular, wavy diagonal lines across its upper back and sides. It features a tall, spiny front dorsal fin with dark speckles, and a long secondary dorsal fin.


Atlantic Croaker 

An illustration of a spot fish (Leiostomus xanthurus) isolated on a plain white background. The fish is viewed from the side, facing left, showing a compact, deep body with a steeply sloping forehead and a small mouth. Its scales are silvery-white with a series of distinct, yellowish-gold diagonal bars angling down its upper back. It features a prominent, dark brownish-black spot just behind the upper edge of its gill cover, two closely set dorsal fins with yellowish tints, and a yellowish tail fin.

Spot Fish