FishKillFleaMaryland’s 2026 striped bass season includes a major change: August 1-31 is now completely CLOSED to all striped bass fishing — no targeting, no catch and release. This protects fish during peak water temperatures when post-release mortality is highest. Additionally, April catch-and-release returns (January 1-April 30 C&R only), reflecting DNR’s assessment that cooler spring water temperatures reduce mortality. Harvest seasons: May 1-July 31 and September 1-December 5 (1 fish/day, 19-24 inch slot).
You measured the fish three times. Twenty-four and a quarter inches — just barely over the 24-inch maximum slot limit. Your buddy, still holding the net, says, “Come on, it’s close enough.” It is not close enough. In Maryland, the 2026 Chesapeake Bay striped bass slot is 19 to 24 inches, and at 24.25 inches, this fish is a quarter-inch too long to keep. You watch it kick back into the Bay, silver sides flashing as it vanishes into the green water. A DNR natural resource police officer in a patrol boat 200 yards away waves. You wave back. That quarter-inch just saved you a potential $500 fine and your rod and reel.
Maryland’s fishing regulations are more complex than most Mid-Atlantic states because the state manages two fundamentally different ecosystems — a mountain freshwater system in the west and the largest estuary in North America along the coast — under one regulatory framework. The 2026 season brings several important changes, including a simplified striped bass season structure approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Here’s every rule you need to know.
Striped Bass (Rockfish): Maryland’s Most Regulated Species
The Chesapeake Bay striped bass fishery is arguably the most carefully managed recreational fishery on the East Coast. The 2026 regulations incorporate ASMFC-approved baseline changes published in the Maryland Register on March 20, 2026:
Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Tributaries
| Season | Dates | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Winter/Spring Catch & Release | January 1 – April 30 | Catch and release only — no harvest |
| Spring/Summer Harvest | May 1 – July 31 | 1 fish/person/day, 19-24 inch slot |
| August Closure | August 1 – August 31 | Completely closed — no targeting, no catch and release |
| Fall Harvest | September 1 – December 5 | 1 fish/person/day, 19-24 inch slot |
| Late Season C&R | December 6 – December 31 | Catch and release only |
The April change: The 2026 season reopens April for catch-and-release fishing, which was previously closed in some recent years. This change reflects DNR’s assessment that cooler water temperatures in April reduce post-release mortality, making catch and release a viable conservation-compatible activity.
Critical Striped Bass Rules
- Circle hooks mandatory: Non-offset circle hooks required when using any natural bait — fish, crabs, worms, or processed baits. Treble hooks are also prohibited with natural bait. J-hooks and treble hooks are only allowed with purely artificial lures
- No culling: It is illegal to catch multiple striped bass and keep the largest. Once you keep a legal fish, you’re done for the day
- No night possession: It is illegal to possess striped bass while fishing between midnight and 5:00 AM in the Chesapeake Bay or tidal tributaries
- Spawning closures: All waters upstream of Abbey Point to Worton Point line are closed to striped bass March 1 – May 31. Designated spawning rivers are closed March 1 – May 31
- No eels as bait: Eels cannot be used as bait for striped bass December 11 – May 15
- Barbless hooks required when trolling — stinger (trailing) hooks are prohibited while trolling
- Maximum 6 trolling lines regardless of the number of anglers on board
- Must land whole: Striped bass must be landed whole in tidal waters — cutting up or filleting on the boat is illegal
- August enforcement: DNR natural resources police actively patrol during August to ensure no anglers are targeting striped bass. The closure protects fish during peak water temperatures when post-release mortality is highest
Ocean Striped Bass
| Season | Bag Limit | Slot Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | 1 fish/person/day | 28 to 31 inches |
Freshwater (Nontidal) Fish Regulations
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) — Nontidal Waters
| Parameter | Statewide | Deep Creek Lake | Potomac River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum size | 12 inches | 15 inches | 15 inches year-round |
| Maximum size | None | None | 20 inches (Jan 1 – Apr 15, upper main stem) |
| Protected slot | None | 18-21 inches (release required) | None |
| Open season | June 16 – last day of February | Same | Same |
| Daily creel limit | 5 (aggregate LM + SM) | 5 (aggregate) | 5 (aggregate) |
| Possession limit | 10 (aggregate) | 10 | 10 |
| Catch & release | Permitted year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
Potomac River special rules: The Potomac has a 15-inch minimum year-round, and from January 1 to April 15, bass caught in the main stem from approximately 0.5 miles upriver from Chain Bridge to the spillway in Cumberland must be under 20 inches to keep. This winter maximum protects large pre-spawn fish during the critical overwintering period.
Special Fisheries Management Areas
Several Maryland lakes have special slot limits to protect mid-size bass:
| Water | Slot Limit | Special Rule |
|---|---|---|
| St. Mary’s Lake | 11-15 inch slot (release required) | Only 1 bass 15”+ per day |
| Little Seneca Lake | 11-15 inch slot (release required) | Only 1 bass 15”+ per day |
| Johnson Pond | 11-15 inch slot (release required) | Only 1 bass 15”+ per day |
| Leonard Mill Pond | 11-15 inch slot (release required) | Only 1 bass 15”+ per day |
Bass — Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Waters
| Season | Minimum Size | Daily Creel |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 – June 15 | 15 inches | 5 aggregate |
| June 16 – last day of February | 12 inches | 5 aggregate |
Trout — The Brook Trout Protection Rule
Maryland’s most important trout regulation: All brook trout must be immediately released in all waters — Put-and-Take, Delayed Harvest, and standard regulation waters. Brook trout are Maryland’s only native trout species, and the zero-harvest rule applies everywhere, no exceptions.
| Water Type | Other Trout (Rainbow, Brown) Daily | Brook Trout |
|---|---|---|
| Put-and-Take areas | 5 daily / 10 possession (no minimum size) | 0 — immediate release |
| Standard regulation waters | 2 daily / 4 possession | 0 — immediate release |
| Delayed Harvest (Oct – May/June) | 0 — immediate release (all species) | 0 — immediate release |
2026 Trout Season Calendar
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2026 (10 PM) | Closure 1 areas close | Closed for pre-season stocking until Opening Day |
| March 21, 2026 (Saturday) | Youth-Only Trout Day | Under 16 only, Closure 1 areas, 2 trout limit, 6:30 AM – 10 PM |
| March 28, 2026 (Saturday) | Opening Day for all anglers | 6:30 AM start in Closure 1 areas |
| Year-round | Catch and release | Open continuously in standard waters and Closure 0 areas |
Closure 0 vs. Closure 1: Closure 0 areas remain open year-round — there is no closed period before Opening Day. Closure 1 areas close from 10 PM on March 8 through 6:30 AM on March 28 to allow undisturbed stocking. Check the Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing for specific area designations.
Delayed Harvest Regulations
Maryland’s Delayed Harvest areas are strictly managed catch-and-release destinations during cooler months:
- Group I (October 1 – May 31) and Group II (October 1 – June 15): No possession of any trout. Immediate release required
- No natural bait, live bait, or scented lures/devices during the Delayed Harvest season
- No barbed hooks — barbless or de-barbed hooks only
- Artificial flies and lures only
- Outside the Delayed Harvest season, standard regulations apply (check specific area limits)
Other Key Freshwater Species
| Species | Min. Size | Daily Limit | Possession | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | None | 15 | 30 | Year-round |
| Yellow Perch (nontidal) | None | 5 (reduced for 2026) | 10 | Year-round |
| Channel Catfish | None | 5 | 10 | Year-round |
| Walleye | 15 inches | 2 | 4 | Year-round (DCL closed Mar 1 – Apr 15) |
| Northern Pike | 30 inches | 1 | 2 | Year-round |
| Chain Pickerel | 15 inches | 2 | 4 | Year-round |
| Bluegill/Sunfish | None | 25 | 50 | Year-round |
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Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Regulations (Beyond Striped Bass)
Yellow Perch — Tidal Waters (2026 Change)
| Parameter | 2026 Rule |
|---|---|
| Daily limit | 5 per person (reduced from previous limits — applies in both tidal and nontidal waters) |
| Minimum size | 8 inches (varies by area) |
| Season | Year-round (check specific area closures) |
Blue Catfish — An Encouraged Harvest
Blue catfish are an invasive species devastating the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, and Maryland actively encourages their removal:
- No daily limit — catch as many as you want
- No minimum size — all sizes are legal
- Year-round season
- No gear restrictions specific to blue catfish
- The Susquehanna Flats, Potomac River tributaries, and Patuxent River are primary hotspots
- DNR recommends targeting blue catfish during the August striped bass closure as an alternative fishery
Snakehead — Another Invasive Target
Northern snakeheads are also invasive in the Chesapeake Bay watershed:
- No daily limit — harvest all you catch
- No minimum size
- Year-round season
- Must not be returned alive to the water if caught — Maryland requires anglers to kill snakeheads before releasing them or keeping them
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge area and Dorchester County are primary habitats
Other Tidal Species
| Species | Min. Size | Daily Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Perch | None | 25 | Year-round |
| Bluefish | 8 inches | 5 (private anglers) / 7 (for-hire) | Year-round |
| Summer Flounder (Fluke) | 16” (Jan-May), 17.5” (Jun-Dec) | 4 | Year-round |
| Red Drum | 18-27 inch slot | 1 | Year-round |
| Weakfish/Sea Trout | 13 inches | 1 | Year-round |
| Tautog (Blackfish) | 16 inches | 4 | Open season varies |
Red drum proposed change: Maryland is considering adjusting red drum regulations to an 18-26 inch slot with a 3 fish/day limit, potentially effective September 1, 2026, to align with Virginia and PRFC rules. Check the DNR website for the latest adopted regulations.
Summer flounder year-round: For 2026, Maryland opened summer flounder fishing year-round for the first time, with split size limits — 16 inches minimum from January through May, 17.5 inches from June through December. The 4-fish daily bag applies year-round.
Prohibited Methods and Gear Restrictions
| Prohibited | Details |
|---|---|
| Snagging | Illegal for all game fish species |
| Fish traps | Illegal for recreational anglers |
| Explosives/chemicals | Illegal |
| Spearfishing | Prohibited in most freshwater; limited in saltwater |
| Cast nets for game fish | Prohibited (legal for baitfish only) |
| Trotlines without tags | Must be properly marked with owner information |
| Treble hooks with natural bait | Prohibited when targeting striped bass in tidal waters |
| Stinger/trailing hooks while trolling | Prohibited in tidal waters |
| More than 6 trolling lines | Maximum 6 lines regardless of number of anglers aboard |
| Eels as striped bass bait | Prohibited December 11 – May 15 |
Rod Limits
- Nontidal waters: Check specific area rules — some waters limit anglers to 2 rods
- Tidal waters: No statewide rod limit, but the 6-line trolling limit applies
- Put-and-Take trout areas: 2 rods maximum during the open season
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HMS (Highly Migratory Species) Reporting Requirement
Effective December 22, 2025, anglers and charter captains holding Atlantic HMS permits from NOAA/NMFS must report recreationally landed bluefin tuna, billfishes, and swordfish electronically within 24 hours of completing the trip. Recreational shark reporting has been eliminated.
2026 Major Rule Changes Summary
| Change | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow perch limit reduced | 5/day in all tidal and nontidal waters | Significant reduction for Bay anglers |
| Striped bass season simplified | ASMFC baseline changes adopted; April C&R reopened | More fishing days, August still closed |
| Summer flounder year-round | Open Jan 1 – Dec 31 with split size limits | Major expansion for fluke anglers |
| Bluefish limit increased | 5/day private, 7/day for-hire | Up from previous 3/day private limit |
| License fee increases | First increase in ~20 years (effective June 1, 2025) | NR nontidal up 168% |
| Veteran fishing waiver | License-free for organized veteran programs (Oct 2025+) | Benefits veteran outreach |
| HMS reporting required | Bluefin tuna, billfishes, swordfish — 24-hour electronic report | For HMS permit holders |
| Brook trout zero-harvest | Continues statewide | Native species protection |
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Free Fishing Days 2026
Maryland offers three days where no recreational fishing license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any associated stamps are required:
- June 6, 2026 (Saturday)
- June 13, 2026 (Saturday)
- July 4, 2026 (Saturday)
All other regulations — bag limits, size limits, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions — remain in full effect. These days are intended to introduce new anglers to fishing without the barrier of license purchase.
Where to Verify Current Regulations
Maryland’s regulations can change mid-season through emergency orders. Always check before fishing:
- Maryland DNR Fisheries: dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries
- 2026 Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing (annual publication): Available free at bait shops, DNR offices, and online
- eRegulations: eregulations.com/maryland/fishing
- DNR Fisheries Hotline: (410) 260-8300
- Emergency closures/openings: Check DNR website and social media for in-season adjustments
For license information, see the non-resident guide or senior guide. For age requirements, see the age requirements guide.
Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, verified March 2026. Striped bass season changes per ASMFC baseline adopted March 20, 2026 (Maryland Register). Regulations reflect 2026 seasons — always verify current emergency orders before fishing.