Verify with the official agency before fishing. These are summaries our shop maintains as a courtesy — they can lag a mid-season change. Each card links the agency page it was drawn from; the date on the card is when our staff last checked it, not when the agency last changed the rule.
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY
Striped Bass (Rockfish)
Season: May 16 – Dec 10 (Bay)
Size: Slot: 19 to 24 inches
Daily Bag: 1 fish per person / day
Note: Circle hooks required when live-lining or chumming. Seasons and closures change mid-year — always check the official page.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
ALL MARYLAND WATERS
Northern Snakehead
Season: Year-round (no closed season)
Size: No minimum / no maximum
Daily Bag: No limit
Note: Invasive species — it is unlawful to transport or possess live snakeheads.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
TIDAL WATERS
Blue Catfish & Flathead Catfish
Season: Year-round (no closed season)
Size: No minimum / no maximum
Daily Bag: No limit
Note: Invasive species — harvest is encouraged by the state.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
ATLANTIC COAST & COASTAL BAYS
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Season: Seasonal — dates set annually
Size: 16.5 inch minimum (MD)
Daily Bag: 4 fish per person / day
Note: Measured total length, snout to pinched tail. Delaware rules differ — check DNREC for DE waters.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
TIDAL & NON-TIDAL WATERS
White Perch & Yellow Perch
Season: Year-round
Size: White: no minimum · Yellow: 9 inches
Daily Bag: White: no creel limit · Yellow: 10 per day
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
TIDAL & NON-TIDAL WATERS
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass
Season: Year-round; catch-and-immediate-release period in spring
Size: 12 inch minimum (Jun 16 – Feb 28)
Daily Bag: 5 fish per person / day
Note: Spring closure dates vary by water — check the official black bass page before keeping fish.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY & ATLANTIC
Bluefish
Season: Year-round (open)
Size: No minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: Coastal creel and any private-vs-for-hire split are set annually to match the ASMFC plan.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY & ATLANTIC
Spanish Mackerel
Season: Summer run (open when present)
Size: 14 inch minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: A coastal migratory pelagic; limits track the federal/ASMFC framework.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY & COASTAL BAYS
Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout)
Season: Year-round (open)
Size: 14 inch minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: Cold-stun events can trigger emergency closures — confirm before keeping.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY & COASTAL BAYS
Red Drum (Redfish)
Season: Year-round (open)
Size: Slot: 18 to 27 inches
Daily Bag: 1 fish per person / day
Note: A protected slot — fish above the slot (bull reds) must be released.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY & COASTAL BAYS
Black Drum
Season: Spring run (open)
Size: 16 inch minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: Big spawning drum are typically released; confirm the current creel.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
ATLANTIC COAST & WRECKS
Black Sea Bass
Season: Seasonal — dates set annually
Size: 13 inch minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: A federally managed bottom fish; season and creel change year to year.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
ATLANTIC COAST & STRUCTURE
Tautog (Blackfish)
Season: Seasonal — dates set annually
Size: 16 inch minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: Closed periods protect the spawn; verify the open window before a trip.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY & ATLANTIC
Cobia
Season: Summer season — dates set annually
Size: 40 inch minimum
Daily Bag: 1 fish per person / day
Note: A one-fish coastal limit is typical; the season is set annually.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
CHESAPEAKE BAY & TRIBUTARIES
American Shad
Season: Year-round
Size: Catch and release only
Daily Bag: No harvest
Note: Harvest of American shad is prohibited in Maryland — release all fish.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
TIDAL & NON-TIDAL WATERS
Channel Catfish
Season: Year-round
Size: No minimum
Daily Bag: No creel limit
Note: A native catfish; unlike the invasive blue/flathead it is a general-limit sportfish.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
TIDAL & NON-TIDAL WATERS
Chain Pickerel
Season: Year-round
Size: No minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: A cool-season ambush predator popular through the winter.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
MARYLAND DNR
TIDAL & NON-TIDAL WATERS
Black Crappie & White Crappie
Season: Year-round
Size: No minimum
Daily Bag: Set annually — check the official page
Note: Panfish rules vary by water body; check for any impoundment-specific creel.
Not yet verified by our staff — confirm at the official source before fishing
Official Maryland DNR Rule Page →
