Maryland Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Bass catch-and-release permitted at all times; bass cannot be used as bait.
- ⚠ Herring (alewife/blueback) and shad: CLOSED - catch and release only.
- ⚠ Atlantic/shortnose sturgeon: closed.
- ⚠ Bass slot areas (Johnson Pond, Leonard Mill Pond, Little Seneca Lake, St. Mary's Lake): no bass 11-15 in, only 1 over 15 in, 5/day.
- ⚠ Catch-and-release bass areas: Monocacy River, Patapsco River (I-70 to MD 144), Potomac River (Dam 2 to Monocacy mouth).
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass | 5/day (10 possession) | Min 12 in (Jun 16 - Feb 28) |
| Crappie | 15/day (30 possession) | |
| Sunfish (incl. bluegill, rock bass) | 15/day (30 possession) | |
| Channel catfish | 5/day (10 possession) | |
| Carp | 15/day (30 possession) | |
| Suckers | 30/day (60 possession) | |
| Chain pickerel | 5/day (10 possession) | Min 14 in |
| Walleye | 5/day (10 possession) | Min 15 in; Deep Creek Lake slot 18-21 in; Potomac max 20 in Jan-Apr 15 |
| Saugeye | 5/day (10 possession) | Min 15 in |
| Muskellunge & tiger muskie | 1/day (2 possession) | Min 36 in |
| Northern pike | 2/day (4 possession) | Min 30 in |
| Striped bass & hybrids (lakes/ponds) | 2/day (4 possession, only 1 over 30 in) | Min 18 in; illegal to keep in nontidal streams/rivers |
| Trout (all species) | 2/day (4 possession) | Put-and-take areas differ |
| Yellow perch (nontidal rivers/streams) | 5/day (10 possession) | Min 9 in; lakes/ponds: 10/day |
| White perch | No limit | |
| American eel | 35/day aggregate |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Deep Creek Lake
- Walleye: 5/day, 15 in min, closed Mar 1 - Apr 15, slot 18-21 in released.
Youghiogheny River below Route 42
- Walleye closed Mar 1 - Apr 15.
Magothy River (below Lake Waterford Dam)
- Closed to all fishing Feb, Mar, Apr.
Severn River (Route 3 bridge downstream)
- Closed Feb, Mar, Apr.
Liberty Reservoir
- Boat permits required; bass/target species per DNR.
Prettyboy Reservoir
- Boat permits required.
Loch Raven Reservoir
- Boat permits required.
Chesapeake Bay (tidal)
- Striped bass, rockfish: per tidal season (slot limits); separate marine regs apply.
Potomac River (nontidal)
- Walleye: 15 in min, 20 in max Jan 1 - Apr 15 in mainstem.
Youghiogheny River (below Rt 42)
- Walleye closed Mar 1 - Apr 15.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; bass season Jun 16 - Feb 28.
Licence Fees
Maryland fishing license required (resident/non-resident); trout stamp for trout waters; fees per MD DNR.
Edition: 2026 Maryland Freshwater Fishing Seasons, Sizes & Limits (DNR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources (dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries)
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