Can I Keep?Maryland Saltwater Fishing Regulations (2026)
Recreational size limits, bag limits and seasons for 31 saltwater species in Maryland, from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating Services. Last checked November 7, 2026. Where a species has several rules (by area or water), the table shows the first; open the species for all of them.
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Official Maryland regulations · Saltwater fishing license
Inshore
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Eel | 9 in minimum | 25 per person | — |
| Black Drum | 16 in minimum | 1 per person | — |
| Croaker | 9 in minimum | 25 per person | — |
| Red Drum | 18–26 in | 3 per person | — |
| Spot | — | 50 per person | — |
| Spotted Sea Trout | 14 in minimum | 4 per person | — |
| Striped Bass (2 rules) | 19–24 in | 1 per person | (1) From May 1 through May 15, a person may catch or possess striped… |
| Summer Flounder | — | — | — |
| Weakfish | 13 in minimum | 1 per person | — |
| Yellow Perch | 9 in minimum | 5 per person | The recreational season is open year round. |
Reef fish
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sea Bass | — | — | — |
| Grouper (Snapper Grouper Complex) | — | 1 per person | The season for taking species listed in §A of this regulation is… |
| Scup | 8 in minimum | 50 per person | — |
| Sheepshead | 12 in minimum | 4 per person | The season for taking species listed in §A of this regulation is… |
| Tautog | 16 in minimum | (1) From July 1 through October 31, an individual may not catch and… | (1) From July 1 through October 31, an individual may not catch and… |
| Tilefish | — | — | — |
Offshore & pelagic
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Shad | — | — | (1) A person may not catch, offer for sale, purchase, or possess any… |
| Atlantic Menhaden | — | — | The season for the recreational harvest of Atlantic menhaden is… |
| Billfish | — | — | — |
| Bluefin Tuna | — | — | — |
| Bluefish | — | — | — |
| Cobia | — | — | — |
| Hickory Shad | — | — | (1) A person may not catch, offer for sale, purchase, or possess any… |
| River Herring | — | — | B. An individual may not possess river herring within the… |
| Sharks - Finetooth, Blacknose, Tiger, Blacktip, Spinner, Bull, Lemon, Nurse, Porbeagle, Common Thresher, Blue | 54 in minimum | D. Catch Limits. (1) There is no catch limit for smoothhound… | B. Season Closure. A recreational angler may not harvest, possess, or… |
| Sharks - Hammerheads (Scalloped, Great, Smooth) | 78 in minimum | D. Catch Limits. (1) There is no catch limit for smoothhound… | B. Season Closure. A recreational angler may not harvest, possess, or… |
| Sharks - Smoothhound, Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead | (1) There is no minimum fork length for the species listed in… | D. Catch Limits. (1) There is no catch limit for smoothhound… | — |
| Spanish Mackerel | 14 in minimum | 15 per person | The recreational season for catching Spanish mackerel is January 1… |
| Swordfish | — | — | — |
Crabs, lobster & shrimp
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Crab | — | A. Daily Catch and Possession Limits. (1) An individual exempt from… | C. A person may not catch blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its… |
Other species
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Sturgeon | — | — | Except for purposes of scientific investigation and aquaculture… |