Maryland fishing rules change when freshwater becomes tidal water
Maryland combines mountain trout streams, reservoirs, tidal rivers, Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic waters in one state. The legal season, license, hook, size and daily limit can change simply by crossing a tidal dividing line or moving from the Bay to the ocean.
Maryland fishing regulation dashboard — August 12, 2026
Chesapeake Bay + tidal tributaries
August 1–31 is a complete striped bass fishing closure. Targeting or attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during the closure.
Bass harvest season
Maryland’s ordinary nontidal largemouth/smallmouth harvest season runs June 16 through the last day of February.
Bay + Atlantic tables
Maryland’s current Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast season/size tables were updated August 4, 2026.
Yellow perch reduced
The 2026 guide reduced the yellow perch daily limit to five in tidal waters and nontidal rivers and streams.
The first Maryland regulation question is not “what fish?” — it is “what water?”
Nontidal / freshwater
Inland lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers generally use the nontidal fishing license and freshwater season/creel rules.
- Freshwater bass season
- Trout stamp
- Walleye regulations
- Freshwater special management areas
Tidal / Bay / coastal
Chesapeake Bay, tidal tributaries, Atlantic coastal bays and state ocean waters generally use the Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport licensing framework.
- Striped bass seasons
- Circle-hook requirements
- Cobia/flounder/sea bass limits
- Saltwater registration rules
Which Maryland fishing license do you need?
Individuals younger than 16 do not need a recreational Maryland fishing license.
Covers Maryland freshwater fishing for 365 days from purchase.
Chesapeake Bay, tidal tributaries, Atlantic state waters and coastal bays.
For qualifying Maryland residents age 65+. Trout stamp is now separate.
Current recreational license fees
| License / privilege | Resident | Nonresident | Validity / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nontidal annual | $32 | $55 minimum or reciprocal home-state fee, whichever is greater | 365 days from purchase. |
| Nontidal 7-day | $16 | Reciprocal home-state fee | 7 consecutive fishing days. |
| Nontidal 3-day | Not offered | Reciprocal home-state fee | Nonresidents only. |
| Trout stamp | $20 | $30 | Required for qualifying anglers age 16+ catching, attempting to catch or possessing nontidal trout. |
| Bay & Coastal annual | $15 | $22.50 | 365 days. |
| Bay & Coastal 7-day | $6 | $12 | 7 consecutive fishing days. |
| Bay & Coastal boat license | $50 | $100 | Covers fishing privileges for people onboard the qualifying pleasure vessel in lieu of individual tidal licenses; unlicensed passengers generally need free Maryland registration. |
Free Saltwater Angler Registration
Some people may legally fish Maryland tidal waters without buying an individual Bay & Coastal license, but still need a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. Common examples include registered passengers on a licensed pleasure boat, certain waterfront property anglers, anglers in designated tidal license-free fishing areas, and anglers using a qualifying Virginia saltwater license.
Maryland freshwater seasons, sizes & creel limits
| Species | Minimum size | Open season | Daily / possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| American eel | 9″ | Year-round | 25 / 25 |
| Baitfish + madtoms | None | Year-round | 35 aggregate / 35 |
| Largemouth + smallmouth bass | 12″ unless special regulation applies | June 16–last day of February | 5 aggregate / 10 possession |
| Carp | None | Year-round | 15 / 30 |
| Chain pickerel | 14″ | Year-round | 5 / 10 |
| Channel catfish | None | Year-round | 5 / 10 |
| Crappie | None | Year-round | 15 / 30 |
| Alewife + blueback herring | — | CLOSED | Catch-and-release allowed. |
| Muskellunge + tiger muskie | 36″ | Year-round | 1 / 2 |
| Northern pike | 30″ | Year-round | 2 / 4 |
| Saugeye | 15″ | Year-round | 5 / 10 |
| American + hickory shad | — | CLOSED | Catch-and-release allowed. |
| Striped + hybrid striped bass — lakes/ponds | 18″ | Year-round | 2/day; only one may exceed 30″. Possession 4, only one over 30″. |
| Striped + hybrid striped bass — rivers/streams | — | Catch only | Harvest prohibited. |
| Sunfish | None | Year-round | 15 aggregate / 30 |
| Statewide trout baseline | None | Year-round | 2 aggregate / 4, except Put-and-Take and special trout waters. |
| Walleye | Normally 15″ | Year-round except specified Deep Creek/Youghiogheny closure | 5 / 10 |
| White perch | None | Year-round | No statewide creel limit |
| Yellow perch — rivers/streams | 9″ | Year-round | 5 / 10 |
| Yellow perch — lakes/ponds | None | Year-round | 10 / 20 |
| Atlantic + shortnose sturgeon | — | CLOSED | No harvest. |
Maryland tightened yellow perch harvest in rivers, streams & tidal waters
Anglers familiar with prior seasons may remember a larger yellow perch creel allowance.
Applies in tidal waters and nontidal rivers and streams.
Deep Creek and the Potomac need an extra walleye measurement check
General Maryland rule
15″ minimumDaily limit 5; possession 10.
Deep Creek Lake
18–21″ slotWalleye must be at least 15 inches, but fish between 18 and 21 inches are protected and must be released.
Upper Potomac reach
20″ maxFrom January 1–April 15, a 20-inch maximum applies in the specified mainstem reach near Chain Bridge to Cumberland spillway.
Two Maryland reaches close to all fishing during February, March & April
Magothy River
From the base of Lake Waterford Dam downstream for approximately 3,300 feet.
Severn River / Severn Run
From the Route 3 Bridge downstream for approximately 2,400 feet.
Maryland trout rules depend on the management category
2 trout/day
General statewide limit is two trout in aggregate, possession four, unless a special trout rule applies.
5 trout/day
Put-and-Take areas allow five trout daily and 10 in possession for non-brook trout. Brook trout must be released.
March 21, 2026
Closure 1 areas were reserved for anglers under 16 from 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; two-trout youth limit, no brook trout.
March 28, 2026
Closure 1 Put-and-Take waters opened at 6:30 a.m..
Trout stamp reminder
The senior consolidated license no longer includes the trout stamp.
August is not a catch-and-release month — striped bass targeting is closed
Maryland’s 2026 Chesapeake Bay and tidal-tributary striped bass framework includes harvest periods, catch-and-release periods and complete no-targeting closures. The entire month of August is the strongest restriction: do not fish for striped bass.
During ordinary 2026 Chesapeake harvest periods.
Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal.
Maryland’s ordinary Chesapeake harvest slot is narrow
During applicable 2026 harvest periods in Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries, a striped bass must measure at least 19 inches and cannot exceed 24 inches.
Do not confuse Bay and ocean rules
Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Bays and their tributaries use a 28–31 inch striped bass slot in Maryland state waters, with one fish per person per day.
A legal-size striped bass can still be illegal because of the method or location
- No filleted striped bass aboard: striped bass must be landed whole in Maryland tidal waters.
- No culling: once a striped bass is legally retained, do not release it later merely to replace it with a different fish.
- Midnight–5 a.m.: possessing striped bass while fishing Chesapeake Bay or tidal tributaries during this period is prohibited.
- No gaff or cast net: these may not be used to remove a striped bass from the water.
- No intentional snagging.
- No striped bass as bait.
- Spawning areas: designated spawning rivers are closed to striped bass fishing from March 1–May 31.
Chesapeake bait choice can determine which hook is legal
- Chumming: always use a non-offset circle hook.
- Targeting striped bass with bait: use a non-offset circle hook.
- Live-lining: generally requires a non-offset circle hook.
- When not targeting striped bass, certain live baitfish under 4 inches may be used with either a circle hook or J-hook, subject to Maryland’s listed exceptions.
- Spot and white perch exception: when used for live-lining, Maryland still requires the non-offset circle hook.
- March 1–May 15, when using fish, crab, worms or processed bait outside chumming/live-lining, use either a non-offset circle hook or qualifying J-hook with a gap no greater than 1/2 inch.
Maryland Chesapeake Bay recreational limits
| Species | Minimum / slot | Open season | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| American eel | 9″ | Jan. 1–Aug. 31; certain spear/trap methods year-round | 25 |
| Largemouth + smallmouth bass |
15″ Mar. 1–Jun. 15; 12″ Jun. 16–last day of Feb. |
Year-round | 5 aggregate |
| Black drum | 16″ | Year-round | 1/person; 6/boat |
| Black sea bass | 12.5″ excluding tail filament | May 1–Dec. 31 | 15 |
| Bluefish | 8″ | Year-round | 5 shore/private boat; 7 for-hire |
| Chain pickerel | 14″ | May 1–Mar. 14 | 10 |
| Cobia | 43″ total length | Jun. 15–Sep. 20 | 1/person; up to 2/vessel with 2+ people |
| Croaker | 9″ | Year-round | 25 |
| Longnose gar | None | Year-round |
Apr. 15–Jun. 30: 1; Jul. 1–Apr. 14: 5 |
| Chesapeake Channa / northern snakehead | None | Year-round | No listed creel limit; possession alive is illegal. |
| Red drum | 18–26″ | Year-round | 3 |
| Sheepshead | 12″ | Year-round | 4 |
| Spanish mackerel | 14″ | Year-round | 15 |
| Spot | None | Year-round | 50 |
| Spotted seatrout | 14″ | Year-round | 4 |
| Summer flounder |
16″ Jan. 1–May 31; 17.5″ Jun. 1–Dec. 31 |
Year-round | 4 |
| Tautog | 16″ |
Jul. 1–May 15 harvest; May 16–Jun. 30 C&R |
Jan. 1–May 15: 4; Jul. 1–Oct. 31: 2; Nov. 1–Dec. 31: 4 |
| Weakfish | 13″ | Year-round | 1 |
| White perch | None by hook-and-line; 8″ with other legal gear | Year-round | No listed creel limit |
| Yellow perch | 9″ | Year-round | 5 |
| Alewife, blueback herring, shad + sturgeon species | — | CLOSED | No harvest. |
Maryland Atlantic limits are similar to the Bay — but not identical
Striped bass
28–31″One fish per person per day in Maryland state ocean/coastal waters.
Mahi-mahi
10/personBoat limit 54; Maryland’s table notes this applies to federal waters.
Wahoo
2/dayMaryland’s table notes the limit applies to federal waters.
Atlantic recreational table
| Species | Size | Season | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black drum | 16″ | Year-round | 1/person; 6/boat |
| Black sea bass | 12.5″ excluding tail filament | May 1–Dec. 31 | 15 |
| Bluefish | 8″ | Year-round | 5 shore/private boat; 7 for-hire |
| Cobia | 43″ TL | Jun. 15–Sep. 20 | 1/person; up to 2/vessel with 2+ anglers |
| Croaker | 9″ | Year-round | 25 |
| Mahi-mahi | None | Year-round | 10/person; 54/vessel in applicable federal waters |
| Red drum | 18–26″ | Year-round | 3 |
| Scup / porgy | 9″ | Year-round | 30 |
| Sheepshead | 12″ | Year-round | 4 |
| Spanish mackerel | 14″ | Year-round | 15 |
| Spot | None | Year-round | 50 |
| Spotted seatrout | 14″ | Year-round | 4 |
| Summer flounder |
16″ Jan.–May; 17.5″ Jun.–Dec. |
Year-round | 4 |
| Tautog | 16″ | Harvest Jul. 1–May 15 |
4 Jan.–May 15; 2 Jul.–Oct.; 4 Nov.–Dec. |
| Weakfish | 13″ | Year-round | 1 |
Some federal HMS catches now require electronic reporting
Maryland’s 2026 fishing guide highlights a federal reporting change effective December 22, 2025 for anglers and charter captains holding applicable federal Atlantic Highly Migratory Species permits.
Recreational landings and dead discards are part of the electronic reporting framework.
Non-tournament landings are covered by the applicable federal reporting requirements.
The 2026 Maryland guide says applicable HMS catch reports must be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of completing the trip.
Put the fish on a flat measuring surface before deciding it is legal
Maryland uses several minimum sizes and narrow keeper slots.
Black sea bass is listed at 12.5 inches excluding the tail filament.
Offshore species may use total length, fork length, lower-jaw fork length or another federal measurement method.
Posted Maryland trout and special-management signs are part of the regulation
Maryland manages waters under multiple special categories, including Put-and-Take trout areas, Catch-and-Return areas, delayed-harvest sections and other species-management areas. A statewide table does not override a posted special-management rule.
Put-and-Take
Designed around stocking and harvest, with seasonal closure/opening provisions and a five-trout limit for qualifying non-brook trout.
Catch-and-Return
Harvest restrictions and tackle rules can be substantially tighter than the statewide trout baseline.
Youth / senior / blind areas
Maryland also designates certain waters for anglers meeting age or eligibility restrictions during specified periods.
Maryland’s striped bass conservation advice becomes especially important in hot water
Maryland DNR advises avoiding catch-and-release of medium/large striped bass in brackish Bay water above this temperature.
DNR also advises avoiding catch-and-release of medium/large striped bass in very hot air conditions.
Maryland catch-and-release guidance recommends keeping fish out of the water for no more than about 30 seconds.
Maryland’s 2026 license-free fishing days have already passed
A license-free Maryland fishing area does not mean rule-free fishing
Maryland designates multiple areas where recreational fishing can occur year-round without purchasing a fishing license.
The designated location provides the license exemption.
Seasons, sizes, creel limits, closures and gear restrictions remain enforceable.
Anglers fishing without an individual license in a designated tidal license-free area generally need free Maryland angler registration.
Maryland regulation checklist for today’s trip
- Identify tidal vs nontidal. Do not choose a license based only on the county or river name.
- Check the exact species table. Freshwater, Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic waters use different limits.
- Check the date. Striped bass, trout, cobia, tautog and other fisheries have seasonal rules.
- Look for a special-management designation. Trout waters and selected freshwater areas can override statewide limits.
- Measure before possession. Maryland uses minimum sizes, protected slots and maximum lengths.
- Confirm hook type. Tidal bait fishing, chumming, live-lining and striped bass fishing can require non-offset circle hooks.
- Check federal requirements offshore. Tuna, sharks, tilefish and other HMS/offshore fisheries may require federal permits and reporting.
- Check whether registration is required. Some tidal anglers are license-exempt but still need free Maryland registration.
Twelve Maryland fishing-regulation errors that are easy to make
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries are closed to striped bass fishing.
Bay and Atlantic state-water striped bass sizes are different.
Check Maryland’s tidal/nontidal dividing lines.
Each angler’s license/registration status matters.
Even the resident senior consolidated license no longer includes it.
Maryland’s current Put-and-Take rule requires immediate brook trout release.
Five per day now applies in tidal waters and nontidal rivers/streams.
Walleye between 18 and 21 inches must be released there.
Maryland’s 2026 live-lining/circle-hook rules are method specific.
Maryland requires striped bass to be landed whole.
Maryland prohibits possession of Chesapeake Channa alive.
Federal HMS and offshore species requirements can apply.
Ask Maryland DNR a specific fishing question
“I’m fishing [exact Maryland water] on [date], targeting [species] with [bait/method]. Can you confirm whether this point is tidal or nontidal, the current season, legal size, daily limit, hook rule and any special-management restriction?”
The practical rules are above — use these for the final live check
Maryland DNR states that its online regulation summaries are abridged and that COMAR contains the controlling regulation text. Use the sources below for late changes, public notices and license transactions.
Quick answers to Maryland regulation questions
Can I fish for striped bass in Chesapeake Bay in August 2026?
No. Maryland’s 2026 striped bass regulation closes Chesapeake Bay, tidal tributaries, the Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River and Northeast River to striped bass fishing from August 1 through August 31. Targeting or attempting to catch striped bass is illegal.
What is Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay striped bass limit?
During the ordinary 2026 Chesapeake harvest periods, the daily limit is one striped bass per person and the fish must measure at least 19 inches and not more than 24 inches. Seasonal closures and area restrictions still determine whether harvest is actually open.
What is the Maryland freshwater bass limit?
The ordinary nontidal largemouth and smallmouth bass harvest rule is five fish in aggregate per day with a 12-inch minimum, with harvest season from June 16 through the last day of February. Special management waters may use different rules.
What is Maryland’s crappie limit?
The ordinary nontidal daily crappie limit is 15 fish, with a possession limit of 30 and no statewide minimum size in the general freshwater table.
What is the 2026 Maryland yellow perch limit?
Yellow perch are limited to five per person per day in tidal waters and nontidal rivers and streams. Nontidal lakes and ponds use a 10-fish daily limit under the current freshwater table.
Do children need a Maryland fishing license?
Individuals younger than 16 do not need a Maryland recreational fishing license. All species, size, season and area restrictions still apply.
How much is a Maryland freshwater fishing license?
The current resident annual nontidal license is $32. A nonresident annual nontidal license is at least $55 or the reciprocal fee charged to Maryland residents by the nonresident’s home state, whichever is greater.
Do Maryland seniors need a trout stamp?
Yes, if otherwise required to fish for trout. The $12 Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License no longer includes the trout stamp. The resident trout stamp is currently $20.
What is Maryland’s Put-and-Take trout limit?
Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Areas allow five trout per day and 10 in possession for covered non-brook trout. Brook trout have a zero creel and possession limit in those areas and must be immediately released.
What hook do I need for striped bass in Maryland?
When targeting striped bass in Maryland tidal waters using fish, crabs, worms or processed bait, anglers must use a non-offset circle hook. Maryland also has specific circle-hook requirements for chumming and live-lining.
Can I keep northern snakehead alive in Maryland?
No. Maryland’s current Chesapeake Bay table lists Chesapeake Channa, commonly called northern snakehead, as illegal to possess alive.
What are Maryland’s 2026 Free Fishing Days?
Maryland’s 2026 Free Fishing Days were June 6, June 13 and July 4. Those dates waive the recreational license requirement, but all other fishing regulations continue to apply.
Water type → species → date → size → method
Maryland fishing regulations become much easier when checked in that order. First decide whether the location is tidal or nontidal. Then find the exact species rule, current season, legal size, creel limit and any special management or hook restriction before putting a fish in possession.
Regulation review completed . Maryland fisheries rules can change through public notice, COMAR amendments, seasonal actions and federal fishery measures.