An illustration of the American eel, a migratory fish with a snake-like body found in freshwater and coastal habitats. This catadromous species spawns in the ocean but thrives in rivers and streams.
9" minimum, creel limit 25
Atlantic Spadefish
An illustration of the Atlantic spadefish, a coastal species known for its deep, laterally compressed body and bold vertical black stripes on a silver-gray background.
An illustration of the black crappie, a North American freshwater fish known for its deep, laterally compressed body and distinctive black-speckled pattern.
No minimum size, nontidal creel limit 15 FishMaryland Award Size 15"
Black Drum
An illustration of the black drum, a robust saltwater fish recognized for its high-arched back, chin barbels, and silver-gray to dark body coloration.
16" minimum, creel limit 1 FishMaryland Award Size 48"
Black Sea Bass
An illustration of the black sea bass, a saltwater species known for its stout body, dark coloration with light speckling, and spiny dorsal fin.
An illustration of the bluefish, a fast-swimming predatory species with a bluish-green back, silver sides, and a forked tail.
8" minimum, Shore or Private Boat: Daily—3, For-Hire Boat: Daily—5, FishMaryland Award Size 34"
Brook Trout
Illustration of a brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a freshwater fish with a dark green body, distinctive light spots, and reddish-orange fins with white edges.
No minimum size*, creel limit 2* (combined) FishMaryland Award Size 12"
Brown Trout
Illustration of a brown trout (Salmo trutta), a freshwater fish with a golden-brown body, black and red spots, and a streamlined shape.
No minimum size*, creel limit 2* (combined) FishMaryland Award Size 21"
Chain Pickerel
Illustration of a chain pickerel (Esox niger), a freshwater predatory fish with an elongated body, greenish coloration, and a distinctive chain-like pattern along its sides.
Illustration of a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a freshwater fish with a slender body, forked tail, and whisker-like barbels around its mouth.
No size limits, nontidal creel limit—5; no tidal creel limit FishMaryland Award Size 30"
Cobia
Illustration of a cobia (Rachycentron canadum), a large, fast-swimming saltwater fish with a long, streamlined body, dark brown coloration, and a distinct white underside.
Illustration of an Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), a small to medium-sized saltwater fish with a silvery body, faint vertical stripes, and a slightly rounded belly.
9" minimum, creel limit 25 FishMaryland Award Size 18"
Fallfish
Illustration of a fallfish (Semotilus corporalis), a large freshwater minnow with a streamlined body, silvery scales, and a slightly forked tail.
No minimum size or creel limit
Largemouth Bass
Illustration of a largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), a freshwater game fish with an elongated body, dark green coloration, and a distinctive large mouth extending past its eyes.
Illustration of a muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), a large freshwater predatory fish with an elongated body, light-colored vertical markings on a greenish-brown background, and sharp teeth.
36" minimum, creel limit 1 FishMaryland Award Size 40"
Northern Pike
Illustration of a northern pike (Esox lucius), a large freshwater predatory fish with an elongated body, olive-green coloration, and light oval-shaped spots along its sides.
30" minimum, creel limit 2 FishMaryland Award Size 38"
Rainbow Trout
Illustration of a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a freshwater fish with a streamlined body, iridescent silver scales, a pinkish lateral stripe, and black spots across its back and fins.
No minimum size*, creel limit 2* (combined) FishMaryland Award Size 20"
Red Drum (channel bass, puppy drum)
Illustration of a red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), a saltwater fish with a reddish-bronze body, a slightly elongated shape, and a distinctive black spot near the base of its tail.
18" minimum & 27" max slot limit, creel limit 1 FishMaryland Award Size 36", Catch & Release Only
Sheepshead
llustration of a sheepshead fish (Archosargus probatocephalus), a saltwater species with a deep, laterally compressed body, silver-gray coloration, and distinctive black vertical stripes.
12" minimum, creel limit 4 FishMaryland Award Size 24" in Chesapeake, 20" in Atlantic
Smallmouth Bass
Illustration of a smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), a freshwater game fish with a bronze to greenish-brown body, dark vertical bars, and a slightly smaller mouth compared to its largemouth counterpart.
Illustration of a Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), a sleek, fast-swimming saltwater fish with a silvery body, a greenish-blue back, and distinctive golden spots along its sides.
14" minimum, creel limit 15 FishMaryland Award Size 22"
Spot
Illustration of a spot fish (Leiostomus xanthurus), a small saltwater species with a silvery body, faint golden stripes, and a distinctive dark spot near its gill cover.
No minimum size limit, creel limit 50 FishMaryland Award Size 12"
Spotted Seatrout
Illustration of a spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), a saltwater fish with an elongated, silver-gray body, black spots along its back and dorsal fins, and a slightly forked tail.
14" minimum, creel limit 4 FishMaryland Award Size 24"
Striped Bass (rockfish)
Illustration of a striped bass (Morone saxatilis), a large migratory fish with a streamlined silver body, dark horizontal stripes along its sides, and a slightly forked tail.
See Striped Bass section for season and limits. FishMaryland Award Size 40", Catch & Release Only
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Illustration of a summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), a flatfish with an oval-shaped body, both eyes on the left side of its head, and a brownish coloration with scattered dark spots.
Illustration of a tautog (Tautoga onitis), a stout-bodied saltwater fish with a dark, mottled coloration, thick lips, and strong teeth adapted for crushing shellfish.
Illustration of a walleye (Sander vitreus), a freshwater predatory fish with an elongated body, golden-brown coloration, and large, reflective eyes adapted for low-light hunting.
Illustration of a weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), a saltwater fish with a slender, silver-gray body, dark spots along its back, and a slightly forked tail.
13" minimum, creel limit 1 FishMaryland Award Size 24"
White Perch
Illustration of a white perch (Morone americana), a small to medium-sized freshwater and estuarine fish with a silvery body, dark dorsal fin, and slightly compressed shape.
No minimum size or creel limit if caught hook & line; 8" minimum if caught with any other gear FishMaryland Award Size 13"
Yellow Perch
Illustration of a yellow perch (Perca flavescens), a freshwater fish with a golden-yellow body, dark vertical stripes, and orange-tinted fins.
9" minimum in tidal waters and nontidal rivers and streams; no minimum size in lakes and ponds; creel limit 10 FishMaryland Award Size 14"
* except where otherwise indicated in nontidal limits
Fish illustrations by Duane Raver and Kevin Ensor, MD DNR
