Chesapeake Bay Seasons, Sizes & Limits
The following tables summarize rules governing the harvest and possession of fish species that anglers commonly catch in Maryland. This summary does not include all regulated species. Full information and updates are available on the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) website.
Species |
Minimum Size Limits |
Open Season |
Creel Limit |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
American Eel |
9 inches |
Jan. 1–Aug. 31, except open year round for spears and baited traps or pots |
Daily—25 |
|
Atlantic Menhaden |
None |
Open Year Round |
None |
|
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) |
15 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—5 in aggregate |
Cannot be used as bait. |
12 inches |
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Black Drum |
16 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—1, Boat Limit—6 |
|
Black Sea Bass |
13 inches (excluding tail filament) |
May 15–Sept. 30 and Oct. 10–Dec. 31 |
Daily—15 |
|
Bluefish |
8 inches |
Open Year Round |
Shore or Private Boat: 5 per person, For-Hire Boat: 7 per person |
|
Catfish |
None |
Open Year Round |
None |
|
Chain Pickerel (Pike) |
14 inches |
May 1–March 14 |
Daily—10 |
Cannot be used as bait. |
Cobia |
43 inches (total length) |
June 15–Sept. 20 |
1 cobia per person per day; or up to 2 cobia per vessel per day if there are 2 or more individuals on the vessel |
May catch-and-release Sept. 21–June 14 |
Croaker (Hardhead) |
9 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—25 |
|
Longnose gar |
None |
Open Year Round |
April 15–June 30: Daily—1 |
|
July 1–April 14: Daily—5 |
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Chesapeake Channa (Northern Snakehead) |
None |
Open Year Round |
None |
Illegal to possess live. |
Red Drum (Channel Bass or Puppy Drum) |
18–27 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—1 |
|
Sharks |
See Highly Migratory Species Section |
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Sheepshead |
12 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—4 |
|
Shrimp (brown, white) |
None |
Open Year Round |
None |
Must use authorized gear. |
Snapper Species |
None |
Open Year Round |
Daily—20 of any combination of species (No more than 10 of any single species) |
Regulations for snapper species are available on the Maryland snapper species regulations page. |
Spanish Mackerel |
14 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—15 |
Must be landed with head and fins intact. |
Spot |
None |
Open Year Round |
Daily—50 |
|
Spotted Seatrout |
14 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—4 |
Cannot be used as bait. |
Striped Bass |
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Summer Flounder (Fluke) |
Jan. 1–May 31: 16 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—4 |
|
June 1–Dec. 31: 17-1/2 inches |
||||
Tautog |
16 inches |
July 1–May 15 |
January 1–May 15: Daily—4 |
May catch-and-release May 16–June 30 |
Walleye |
15 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—5 |
Cannot be used as bait. |
Weakfish |
13 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—1 |
|
White Perch |
None if caught with hook and line; 8 inch minimum if caught with other gear |
Open Year Round |
None |
|
Yellow Perch |
9 inches |
Open Year Round |
Daily—5 |
|
Alewife Herring, American Shad, Atlantic Sturgeon, Blueback Herring, HICKORY SHAD and Shortnose Sturgeon |
CLOSED |
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Areas Closed to Fishing—Feb, March and April: |
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Better Data, Better Fishing
When you share information about your saltwater fishing trip with a Maryland Department of Natural Resources field interviewer, you’re playing a key role in supporting healthy and productive fisheries. Stationed at publicly accessible fishing sites, these specially trained DNR staff collect information used by NOAA Fisheries to estimate total recreational catch. As part of the survey, field interviewers measure and weigh harvested fish and ask about releases. A typical interview takes only about 5 minutes. Field interviewers play no role in enforcement, and have nothing to do with catch limits, rules, or regulations. Participating in the survey is one of the most important things anglers can do to help ensure sustainable fisheries today—and for generations to come.
Learn More. Go Fish.
Learn more about the Atlantic Population Assessment and Improvement Act (APAIS) and go fishing with help from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources APAIS program.
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