Smallmouth bass are one of the premier species found in the Delaware River near New Jersey's Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.

As gas prices soar through the roof, those looking to combine a fishing trip with a family vacation might be searching fairly close to home.

Here are two good choices in neighboring states.

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Maryland: Sandy Point State Park, located on the shores of Chesapeake Bay just north of the western end of the Bay Bridge, represents a park that offers an abundance of angling and non-angling options.For the serious angler, Sandy Point provides a great spot for headquartering a trip aimed at striped bass, known locally as rockfish.The once threatened striped bass fishery has responded in fine shape, thanks to more conservative regulations. Anglers can target stripers of various age classes throughout the summer months in the bay waters near Sandy Point.Charters are not available directly through the state park, but it is not difficult to arrange a trip at private marinas and sporting goods outlets. It would be wise, however, to do so in advance of visiting the park.Anglers and vacationers bringing their own boats to the park will find a full-service marina that features 22 ramps. Six finger piers are available on a first come-first-served basis.The Marina Store sells fishing licenses, crabbing permits, bait, tackle and fuel. Snacks, drinks and limited picnic supplies can be found at the store. A separate launch area is available for windsurfers, hobie cats, canoes, kayaks and catamarans.Those who prefer to fish from shore will find good spots on numerous rock jetties and a fishing pier located next to the launch ramps. A crabbing area is also provided here.Daily admission to the park is $5 per person for residents, $6 for non-residents during weekends. The fee is $1 less during weekdays.Lodging can be found in nearby Annapolis. Sandy Point State Park is located near the west end of the Bay Bridge on Route 50/301. Take Exit 32. Call 410-974-2149 for information.•

New Jersey: A July visit to Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park will give the family a chance to enjoy various fishing options, and to partake in a history lesson.Built in the early 1800s as a navigational link connecting New York and Philadelphia, today 36 miles of the main canal and 22 miles of the feeder canal still exist. It is along this corridor that the D&R Canal State Park is locatedThe main and feeder portions of the canal contain a variety of self-supporting warmwater species. This includes bass, sunfish, perch and pickerel. The New Jersey Division of Wildlife also stocks the canal each spring with trout.Non-powered boats and craft powered by electric motors are permitted on canal waters. Launch facilities are limited to those suitable for cartoppers. Canoes can be rented from private concessionaires in Griggstown and Princeton.For anglers looking for more of a challenge, it's a short distance to the Delaware River from most portions of the park. During the summer months, the primary focus on the river will be smallmouth bass. Boats can be launched at the Bull's Island Recreation Area on the Delaware. There is no horsepower restriction.During a break in the fishing action, the family can check out these features of the D&R Canal State Park: Prallsville Mills, near Stockton, is a charming 19th Century mill complex that contains both grist and linseed oil mills.Griggstown, in New Jersey's Somerset County, is the site of a wooden canal bridge, the Mule Tender's Barracks, the Bridge Tender's House as well as the Griggstown Mill.The Griggstown Lock is found about a mile away, a pleasant walk along the towpath. Picnic tables and grills can be found there.The park contains multiuse trails as well as the towpath. The Main Canal Trail is 34 miles long. The Feeder Canal Trail is 31Z\x miles long. Both are ADA accessible.The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site provides recreational resources for biking, hiking and horseback riding.Call 609-924-5705 for information on D&R Canal State Park.Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.