Winter Solstice Hike Planned In Lothian + Best Trout Fishing Locations Ranked

MARYLAND — The day with the least sunlight is almost here. An Anne Arundel County sanctuary will celebrate the winter solstice with a moon-lit hike.

Marylanders can also head to local streams to enjoy some of the region's best trout fishing, a ranking said. Environmentalists asked residents to protect nature by reporting nautical animals stunned by the cold water. Other upcoming activities include a historical cooking lesson and an owl walk.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"Winter Solstice Hike

Join Jug Bay’s master naturalist, Mike Quilan, to celebrate the change of seasons. Look for signs of winter and close out the shortest day of the year as you watch the sunset from the observation deck. You may catch a glimpse of the night’s full moon – the Long Night Moon. This moon is in view longer than any other full moon of the year. Open to all ages. Free with $6 per vehicle park admission. Dec. 18, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm; Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD. More information and registration."

"Top Places for Trout Fishing

According to fishing guide and writer Chris Dollar, “You’ll run out of time before you run out of places to trout fish in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.” From Michaux State Forest’s 12 designated wilderness trout streams in Pennsylvania, to Savage River State Forest in western Maryland, Cacapon State Park in West Virginia, and the cold mountain streams of the Shenandoah mountains, there’s an abundance of places to catch some trout. As for winter, Chris suggests that there’s great trout fishing to be had “well into the heart of winter in the freshwater tributaries that drain into the Bay.” Read Top Places for Trout Fishing in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed."

"Cold Stunning: How You Can Help

This is the time of year when water temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay can endanger sea turtles and some marine animals. Some species can become slow and unresponsive, making them dangerous to themselves and boaters. According to [the] Maryland [Department of Natural Resources,] marine animal rescue organizations responded to nearly 1,000 cold-stunned animals along the east coast last year. The public can be a big help by reporting any cold-stunned marine animals or sea turtles that they might come upon. In Maryland call the Maryland Marine Mammal Stranding hotline at 800-628-9944. The hotline is manned year-round, 24 hours a day. In Virginia[,] the ... Aquarium Stranding Response Team asks that if you come upon any sea turtle swimming, floating or stranded on the beach during winter to stay with it and immediately call (757) 385-7575."

"Cooking in the Cabin

Explore early American cooking and foodways with Benjamin Banneker Museum culinary historians. Using a woodburning hearth and bake oven, they demonstrate the cooking techniques used by Benjamin Banneker and his Patapsco Valley neighbors. Free, open to all ages, registration not required. Dec. 18, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm; Benajmin Banneker Museum, Catonsville, MD. More information and other events.

Note: There will also be a Solstice Hike & Campfire at the Banneker Museum on Dec. 17, 7:00 pm. (see above link)"

"Owl Prowls

Need help spotting the [elusive] owl? Join Eden Mill after dark to search the woods for some of Maryland’s native owls and wildlife! Learn about these incredible creatures while the nature center calls them, and track them through the woods. $11 for non-members. Dec. 17, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and Jan. 14, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm; Eden Mill Nature Center, Pylesville, MD. More information and registration."

RELATED:

• Winter Birding At Sandy Point + Kwanzaa Celebration In Annapolis
• MD Holiday Celebrations: Sandy Point Lights, Yuletide Festival
• Owls Will Migrate Over Maryland + Cookbook Features Local Recipes
• MD Sea Glass, Coastal Arts Festival Slated + Holiday Lights Begin
• Quiet Waters Park Outdoor Ice Rink Opens Soon In Annapolis
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed Movie Premiers + Nature Paddle Planned
• Bat Week Activities + Composting In Annapolis: Autumn Events
• Chesapeake Bay Jack-O'-Lanterns + MD Fall Foliage Road Trips
• Puppy, Halloween Train Rides Planned + Evening Canoe Event Slated
• Waterway Appreciation Planned + Waterfowl, Bird Watching Slated
• Oyster Festival Slated + Hispanic Cultural Events Planned In MD
• Track Fall Foliage + Visit Smithsonian Environmental Center
• Hidden Chesapeake Beach + Underground Railroad Commemoration
• Docking Contest, Shark Exhibit, Free Museum Tickets Offered In MD
• Monarch Butterflies Will Fly Over MD, Educational Events Planned
• Mystery & Ice Cream Train, Kayak Bird Watching Event Slated In MD
• Raft-Up Boat Concert, Sailboat Races Approach In Maryland
• Seafood Lesson, Gold Hike, Folk Festival Offered In Maryland
• Tall Ship, Lighthouse Day, Waterfront Festival Celebrated In MD
• Annapolis Tropical Concert Returns After Year Hiatus
• Chesapeake Bay Camping, Sunflower Hike: Explore Maryland's Nature
• Free Smithsonian Center, Train Museum Tours Offered In MD
• Sharkfest Comes To MD Museum, Exhibit Will Feature Live Predators
• Historic London Town Tells Revolutionary War Tales Around July 4
• Tall Ships Come To Annapolis For July 4, Skipjack Tours Available
• Save The Fireflies, Thank The Bees In MD: Pollinator Week Events
• Track Dolphins In Chesapeake Bay, Fish For Invasive Snakeheads
• Hike In Greenbelt, Paddle Board In Lothian On National Trails Day
• Antique Boat Show, Father's Day Cruise Come To MD Waters

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