To reach the boat ramp at Point of Rocks, take Route 15 south from Frederick. At Point of Rocks, turn left onto SR 28 and follow the signs to the boat ramp.

Additional information on Heaters Island can be obtained by calling the Indian Springs WMA in Clear Springs at (301) 777-2136.

Fishing Bay WMA
Not only is Fishing Bay WMA the state's largest publicly owned tidal wetland, it's also its largest wildlife management area, at 28,518 acres.

Fishing Bay is located in Dorchester County. This immense wildlife management area is located just to the east of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Fishing Bay consists of a variety of waterfowl habitats. As such, there are many hunting options.

There is the open water of the Fishing Bay and the Nanticoke River, along with an immense network of tidal creeks, ponds and marshes.

"All of the wetlands are tidal marsh, so you have to watch the tides and plan your hunts accordingly," Hindman said. He said that most hunters use johnboats to access the area's many ponds and marshes, and then will either erect a temporary blind, or construct a blind on the boat itself.

There are some ponds you can walk to, however. There are also opportunities to jump-shoot ducks. Expect to find blacks and mallards on the marshlands and canvasbacks on the bay.

Fishing Bay is located in Dorchester County. This immense wildlife management area is located just to the east of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Maps of Fishing Bay WMA can be found on the Maryland DNR's Web site. You can log on to them at www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/fishingbaymap.html.

From this page, you can click on any of nine maps that show individual parcels of this massive tract.

Given the size of this area, as well as its physical nature, it would be wise to carry a map, compass and hand-held GPS when hunting it, especially the interior areas.

The WMA has 12 designated parking areas, as well as six water access points. In addition to this, there are two boat ramps with parking areas.

From the Bay Bridge, take U.S. Route 50 east to Cambridge. Follow Bucktown Road south to Bestpitch Ferry Road. Proceed south, crossing the Transquaking River to the Fishing Bay entrance.

Other sections of the area can be reached from Griffiths Neck Road, Maple Dam Road and Elliot Island Road. The best public boat-launching facilities are at Bestpitch, Elliot Island and Shorters Wharf.

Additional information on Fishing Bay can be obtained by calling the office of the LeCompte Wildlife Management Area in Vienna at (410) 376-3236.

Ellis Bay WMA
Found to the east of Fishing Bay, across the Nanticoke River, are the 3,000 acres of Ellis Bay WMA in Wicomico County.

"Most folks who hunt Ellis Bay do so from a johnboat or from shore," Hindman said.

"There are some smaller creeks in this area, as well as some ponds."

Ellis Bay WMA is located right at the mouth of the Wicomico River. Two parcels comprise the area. The largest is found to the east of Ellis Bay. The smaller parcel is located just to the southwest, situated on the point that separates the mouths of the Wicomico and Nanticoke rivers.