Fishermen will find some excellent fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River throughout the summer. Weakfish, stripers, summer flounder and bluefish are the mainstays of the fishing in the bay, while a variety of other species are available to anglers as well.

A boat launch and fish-cleaning station are on hand for boaters, and boat rentals, bait and fishing supplies are also available at the camp store. Three fishing areas and a 710-foot fishing pier are located at Point Lookout. Numerous charter and party boats are available for hire at nearby marinas.

You can get information on Point Lookout State Park by contacting them at P.O. Box 48 Scotland, MD 20687; or call (301) 872-5688.

NEW JERSEY
Atlantic Highlands
July is the heart of the summer and for many anglers along the East Coast that means prime time bay and ocean fishing. One area of the Garden State that holds some super fishing and plenty to do for the entire family is the Raritan Bay region. Right at the entrance of the bay is Sandy Hook State Park. While you won't find campgrounds at this park, you'll have no problems finding accommodations, as the area abounds in hotels and motels and fine places to eat.

Sandy Hook State Park is part of the Gateway National Sea Shore, which is located at the entrance of New York harbor. Sandy Hook itself has a rich history. Sandy Hook at one time was the proving grounds for artillery used by the U.S. Army and Navy.

The Hook served as a military installation and was part of the defenses that guarded the entrance to New York Harbor. At one time, the only way you could go to the tip of the Hook to fish was to get a pass from Fort Hancock. The military moved out in the 1970s and the land from the installation was ceded to the state of New Jersey, which turned it into a state park.

Raritan Bay and its surrounding waters are some of the state's premier places to catch bluefish, striped bass, weakfish and fluke; July is when the fishing is at its zenith. If you own your own boat, the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor has a public launch just up from where the party boats dock. There are privately run boat launches at many of the marinas on the bay.

Several marinas and tackle shops also rent boats for fishing. Raritan Bay also has first-class charter and party boat services. The Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor has a large number of party and charter boats that offer a variety of trips (full-day, 3/4-day, half-day, morning, afternoon and evening).

Many of the satellite marinas around the bay also offer party and charter boats. In addition to the good fishing in Raritan Bay, anglers will find good action in the nearby Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers, as well as the inshore waters of the New York Bight. Sandy Hook itself offers year-round surf-fishing along the ocean and bay fronts, along with the tip of the Hook.

When it comes to things to do for the family, the area is teaming with activities. The one-time military facility at Sandy Hook Park is now open to the public for tours of the old gun placements, and other facilities. Most of the historic areas of the park are open to the public and the park also has an excellent nature area and trails.