Maryland fishing regulations change at the 3-nautical-mile line off Ocean City, and the rules below follow each species across it. The Atlantic coast shares a rulebook with the rest of our U.S. coast coverage, but Maryland adds its own sizes, seasons and gear rules. If you run from Ocean City to the shelf wrecks and the canyons, Maryland offshore fishing puts you in both state and federal waters on the same trip. This page covers who regulates what first, then each species’ size, bag, season and gear rules, with a link to the agency page for each.
Maryland Fishing Official Government Organizations
State rules cover the Atlantic Ocean from shore to 3 nautical miles, plus the coastal bays and their tributaries. They come from Maryland DNR Fishing and Boating Services under COMAR 08.02, and DNR sets or changes many seasons, sizes and limits by public notice. Federal waters run from 3 to 200 miles, the EEZ, and fall under NOAA Fisheries and the regional councils. A federal Atlantic HMS permit is required to fish for or keep Atlantic tunas, billfish, swordfish and sharks in federal waters.
In state waters you need a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License or the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration to fish for finfish. A Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Boat License decal covers everyone aboard, and passengers need the free registration. The boat license cannot be used on a boat hired to take people fishing. A Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Charter Boat License decal covers everyone on a vessel run by a licensed fishing guide. Anglers under 16 need no license or registration. Free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4. Licenses and registrations are valid 365 days from purchase. See Maryland fishing license requirements for the details, and check the Maryland DNR fishing regulations before you fish.
- Maryland DNR Fishing and Boating Services – Sets and publishes rules for state waters under COMAR 08.02.
- NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office – Manages summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish and tilefish in federal waters.
- NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office – Manages mahi-mahi, wahoo, king mackerel and Spanish mackerel, and issues the for-hire permits for them.
- Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council – Develops federal management for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish and tilefish.
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council – Develops federal management for dolphin, wahoo, the mackerels, and snapper and grouper.
- Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission – Coordinates interstate management of striped bass, Atlantic cobia and the state-waters species.
- NOAA Fisheries Atlantic HMS Management Division – Manages tunas, billfish, swordfish and sharks under 50 CFR 635 and issues the HMS permit.
Maryland Offshore Fishing Regulations by Species
Maryland fishing regulations come from three layers. DNR sets the rules in state waters, NOAA and the councils set the rules in federal waters, and HMS species are federal. In state waters, no line may carry more than 2 hook units, snagging is illegal, and Sabiki rigs and mackerel trees are illegal in Maryland waters but allowed in the EEZ. A boat may not carry more than 15 pounds of any fish with a size or weight limit in a condition where its size or weight cannot be determined. Ocean City may have its own ordinances. Limits are stated in total length or fork length, and each block below names which one. Mid-Atlantic species move with the season along the Northeast shelf, so the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide helps you time the run.
Striped bass ocean limit in Maryland
These are the rules for state Atlantic waters, coastal bays and tributaries. The Chesapeake Bay has its own table. Once you cross the 3-mile line the limit drops from one fish to none, because possession of striped bass is prohibited in the EEZ.
- Length28 to 31 inches total length (minimum 28, maximum 31).
- Bag limit1 per person per day in state waters, and none in federal waters.
- SeasonJanuary 1 to December 31 in state waters, no area restrictions.
- Gear and permitsNon-offset circle hooks with fish, crabs, worms or processed bait when targeting striped bass. No treble hooks, gaff or cast net to land one. No culling and no use as bait. Landed whole.
Check the DNR striped bass public notice before you fish.
Black sea bass size and season in Maryland
These rules apply in state and federal waters. Federal measures are waived, and you follow the measures of the state where you land, including on federally permitted charter and party boats. That state-of-landing rule matters on every run from the wrecks and reef sites off Ocean City.
- Length12 1/2 inches, excluding the tail filament.
- Bag limit15 per person per day.
- SeasonMay 1 to December 31.
- Gear and permitsGeneral Maryland hook rules in state waters. No private federal permit.
Check the DNR fisheries public notices before you fish.
Summer flounder (fluke) size in Maryland
These rules apply in state and federal waters. The same state-of-landing rule applies, so Maryland’s measures govern when you land here.
- Length16 inches from January 1 to May 31. 17 1/2 inches from June 1 to December 31.
- Bag limit4 per person per day.
- SeasonOpen year round.
- Gear and permitsGeneral Maryland hook rules in state waters. No private federal permit.
Check the DNR summer flounder notice before you fish.
Scup (porgy) in Maryland and federal waters
The state season is open year round. Federal figures apply in federal waters and on federally permitted for-hire vessels.
- LengthState waters: see the Maryland Atlantic table. Federal: 10 inches minimum.
- Bag limitState waters: see the Maryland Atlantic table. Federal: 40 per person possession limit.
- SeasonState: open year round. Federal: January 1 through December 31.
- Gear and permitsGeneral Maryland hook rules in state waters.
Check the Maryland Atlantic sizes and limits before you fish.
Bluefish in Maryland Atlantic waters
These are the Maryland Atlantic waters rules. The bag limit depends on how you fish.
- Length8 inches.
- Bag limit5 per person per day from shore or a private boat. 7 per person per day on a for-hire boat.
- SeasonNo closed season.
- Gear and permitsGeneral Maryland hook rules. The for-hire bag applies on charter and party boats.
Check the DNR bluefish public notice before you fish.
Tautog in Maryland Atlantic waters
These are the Maryland Atlantic waters rules. The season is split, with a catch-and-release window in late spring.
- Length16 inches total length.
- Bag limit4 per person per day from January 1 to May 15. 2 from July 1 to October 31. 4 from November 1 to December 31.
- SeasonOpen July 1 to May 15. Closed May 16 to June 30, catch and release only.
- Gear and permitsGeneral Maryland hook rules.
Check the Maryland Atlantic tautog limits before you fish.
Golden tilefish off Maryland
Golden tilefish rules are federal and apply north of the North Carolina/Virginia border. Maryland law bars possession that breaks federal rules or occurs when NOAA closes the fishery.
- LengthNo minimum size.
- Bag limit8 golden tilefish per angler per trip.
- SeasonNo seasonal closure in the federal rule. Check the agency page for closures.
- Gear and permitsRod and reel only, no more than 5 hooks per rod, manual or electric reel. The vessel needs a federal private recreational tilefish permit (through GARFO Fish Online) or a charter/party tilefish permit. Report every trip that targeted or retained tilefish within 24 hours of returning to port by eVTR.
Check the federal tilefish rule 648.296 before you fish.
Blueline tilefish off Maryland
Blueline tilefish are federal, with the same permit and eVTR rule as golden tilefish. The bag limit depends on the vessel type.
- LengthNo minimum size.
- Bag limit3 per person per trip on a permitted private vessel. 5 on an uninspected for-hire vessel with a charter/party permit. 7 on a Coast Guard-inspected for-hire vessel with that permit.
- SeasonOpen May 15 through November 14. Closed November 15 through May 14.
- Gear and permitsSame as golden tilefish: permit before the trip, eVTR within 24 hours.
Check the federal blueline tilefish rule before you fish.
Mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) off Maryland
Mahi-mahi rules are federal in the Atlantic EEZ. The 20-inch fork length minimum applies only off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. For the fishing side, see our mahi-mahi fishing guide.
- LengthNo minimum size off Maryland.
- Bag limit10 per person per day, not to exceed 54 per vessel, whichever is less. On a headboat, 10 per paying passenger. The federal limit cannot be added to a state-waters limit.
- SeasonOpen year round.
- Gear and permitsAutomatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic longline, rod and reel, spearfishing gear. Landed with head and fins intact (may be eviscerated, gilled and scaled). Charter and headboats need the Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo charter/headboat permit.
Check the federal dolphin bag limits before you fish.
Wahoo off Maryland
Wahoo rules are federal in the Atlantic EEZ. For the fishing side, see our wahoo fishing guide.
- LengthNo minimum size.
- Bag limit2 per person per day.
- SeasonOpen year round.
- Gear and permitsSame authorized gear, head-and-fins-intact rule and charter/headboat permit as mahi-mahi.
Check the federal wahoo regulations before you fish.
Cobia in Maryland and federal waters
These rules apply in state and federal waters. Off Maryland, a cobia must meet whichever rule is tighter. Maryland measures total length and the federal rule measures fork length, so the two numbers are not directly comparable.
- LengthMaryland: 43 inches total length. Federal: 36 inches fork length.
- Bag limitMaryland: 1 per person per day, or up to 2 per vessel per day with 2 or more aboard. Federal: 1 per person per day, not to exceed 6 per vessel.
- SeasonMaryland: open June 15 to September 20, closed all other dates. Federal: NOAA can close the recreational sector by Federal Register notice.
- Gear and permitsFederal authorized gear: automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, pelagic longline, spear including powerheads. Landed with head and fins intact.
Check the DNR cobia public notice and the NOAA cobia management changes before you fish.
King mackerel off Maryland
King mackerel rules are federal for the Atlantic migratory group in the Mid-Atlantic EEZ. Size is measured in fork length.
- Length24 inches fork length.
- Bag limit3 per person per day. On a charter or headboat trip longer than 24 hours, with 2 licensed operators and a trip-length receipt per passenger, up to 2 daily bag limits.
- SeasonOpen year round.
- Gear and permitsFor-hire vessels need the federal Coastal Migratory Pelagics charter/headboat permit.
Check the federal king mackerel limits before you fish.
Spanish mackerel in Maryland and federal waters
These rules apply in state and federal waters. The units differ: the state uses 14 inches total length and the federal rule uses 12 inches fork length.
- LengthState: 14 inches total length. Federal: 12 inches fork length.
- Bag limit15 per person per day, state and federal.
- SeasonOpen year round.
- Gear and permitsLanded with heads and fins attached naturally. For-hire vessels need federal Coastal Migratory Pelagics permits from the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office.
Check the COMAR Spanish mackerel rule before you fish.
Snapper, grouper and sheepshead in Maryland
These are the Maryland limits under COMAR 08.02.05.29. Federal waters follow the SAFMC rules and 50 CFR part 622 for the area they cover.
- LengthNo minimum size, except sheepshead at 12 inches total length.
- Bag limit1 grouper per person per day (any species or combination). Snapper group (red snapper, vermilion snapper, greater amberjack, gray triggerfish, porgies, grunts, jacks, hogfish, spadefish): 10 of any single species and 20 combined per person per day. Sheepshead: 4 per person per day.
- SeasonJanuary 1 to December 31.
- Gear and permitsGeneral Maryland hook rules in state waters. For federal waters, see the SAFMC regulations.
Check the South Atlantic Council regulations before you fish.
Sharks in Maryland waters
These are the Maryland rules. A shark carried by vessel follows the vessel limits wherever it was caught. A federal Atlantic HMS permit is required in federal waters. Shark size limits are measured in fork length.
- LengthAtlantic sharpnose, bonnethead and smooth dogfish: no minimum. Blacknose, blue, common thresher, finetooth, porbeagle, blacktip, bull, lemon, nurse, spinner and tiger: 54 inches fork length. Great, scalloped and smooth hammerheads: 78 inches fork length.
- Bag limitVessel: 1 shark per trip from the approved list, plus 1 Atlantic sharpnose and 1 bonnethead per angler per trip. Shore angler: 1 shark per day, plus 1 additional Atlantic sharpnose and 1 additional bonnethead. Smooth dogfish and spiny dogfish: no limit.
- SeasonOpen year round, except blacktip, bull, lemon, nurse, spinner, tiger and hammerhead sharks, which are closed May 15 to July 15.
- Gear and permitsHandline or rod and reel only. Corrodible, non-stainless circle hooks, except with flies or artificial lures. Carry a device that quickly cuts the leader or hook. Heads, tails and fins stay attached through landing. No sale, no finning, no filleting at sea. Sandbar, dusky, sand tiger, oceanic whitetip and shortfin mako must be released, and stay in the water: no gaff, no deck, no sitting on them. A federal Atlantic HMS permit is required in federal waters.
Check the Maryland shark fishing rules before you fish.
Atlantic tunas and bluefin off Maryland
Tunas are federal HMS species. Maryland bars catch or landing that breaks 50 CFR 635 or occurs during a NOAA closure. Bluefin limits are set and changed by NOAA. For the fishing side, see our yellowfin tuna fishing guide and bigeye tuna fishing guide.
- LengthSee the NOAA Fisheries HMS rules.
- Bag limitSee the NOAA Fisheries HMS rules.
- SeasonSet by NOAA under 50 CFR 635. No possession when NOAA closes the fishery.
- Gear and permitsAn Atlantic HMS permit is required in federal waters. Bluefin tuna must be landed whole. Report landed bluefin and dead discards within 24 hours of completing the trip through the HMS Catch Reporting app, the HMS Permit Shop website or (888) 872-8862. Captains filing SAFIS eTrips or Bluefin Data VESL reports within 24 hours need no separate report, but must list each fish with length and weight.
Check the Maryland highly migratory species rules before you fish.
Billfish and swordfish off Maryland
Billfish and swordfish are federal HMS species. The HMS permit and 24-hour reporting rules above apply here too. For the fishing side, see our white marlin fishing guide and blue marlin fishing guide.
- LengthSee the NOAA Fisheries HMS rules.
- Bag limitSee the NOAA Fisheries HMS rules.
- SeasonSet by NOAA under 50 CFR 635. No possession when NOAA closes the fishery.
- Gear and permitsAn Atlantic HMS permit is required. Billfish (Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, Atlantic sailfish, roundscale spearfish) may be eviscerated but stay whole with head, fins and bill intact through offloading. Swordfish stay in round or dressed form as defined in 50 CFR 635 through offloading. Report non-tournament landings within 24 hours.
Check the COMAR billfish landing rule before you fish.