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Bass Fishing

Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass Slot Length Limit Areas

Areas:

  • Johnson Pond, Wicomico County.
  • Leonard Mill Pond, Wicomico County.
  • Little Seneca Lake, Montgomery County.
  • St. Mary’s Lake, St. Mary’s County—located on MD Route 5.

Restrictions:

  • You may not possess more than five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass combined) per day while fishing in these areas.
  • No bass in possession can measure between 11 and 15 inches long.
  • Only one bass in possession may be 15 inches or longer.

Catch-and-Release Bass Fishing Areas

Areas:

  • Monocacy River—from the Potomac River upstream to Buckeystown Dam.
  • Patapsco River—from Interstate 70 downstream to MD Route 144 (Frederick Road).
  • Potomac River—from Dam No. 2 (Seneca Breaks) upstream to the mouth of the Monocacy River.

Restrictions:

  • You may not possess largemouth or smallmouth bass in these areas.
  • You must immediately release any largemouth or smallmouth bass into the water where it was caught.

Black Bass Conservation Fund

Maryland now allows anyone to donate any amount to support black bass conservation through MD Outdoors. All money will be used to support black bass conservation in Maryland.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Tournament Permits

A black bass tournament permit is required if all of the following conditions apply:

  • The tournament has 10 or more boats participating.
  • The tournament has a specific location where fish are weighed, measured, counted or otherwise entered.
  • The tournament provides anglers an offer, reward or incentive for catching black bass.
  • For a list of permitted tournaments and additional permit information, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources bass tournament permits page.
  • The application deadline is either 15 days prior to the tournament if the contest will have 10–50 boats, or 30 days prior for tournaments with 50 or more boats.
  • Directors are issued permits electronically within two weeks of their application.
  • In 2025 there were several prominent boating accidents during bass tournaments; directors are encouraged to share local regulations and safety info found at the bottom of this page.

Tips For Live Release Tournaments

  • Use a big enough live well; one pound fish per gallon of water.
  • Use a minimum 750 gal/hour pump.
  • Use ice and water exchanges, and keep the live well water temperatures 5–7 degrees F below the river water temperature.
  • Take extra care when fishing summer tournaments. Extreme heat can be a killer.
  • Use continuous circulation and frequent water exchanges, and periodically lift the lids of live wells to expel carbon dioxide. This may require more of your attention during periods of rough water when bass experience increased stress.
  • Act quickly if the live well stops working! Bucket in fresh water every 10 minutes, use a spare pump, move your fish to a working live well, or release them.
  • Use an effective culling strategy that prevents tearing the lips or tissue of bass.
  • Remove dead bass from live wells; do not discard harvested species at boat ramps or near parking lots. In many cases, harvested fish can be consumed or donated for consumption.
  • Clean and remove algae or plant material from live well and intake systems.

For information on how to apply for conservation supplies from the department, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Black Bass Conservation Award page.

Visit the Tidal Bass Program for information on bass fishing, permitting, and our survey results.

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