Summary of Tidal Fishing Rules

This is an abridged version of the rules and does not include all regulated species. The printed version of COMAR is the official and enforceable text. Only the official text may be judicially noticed under Courts and Judicial Proceedings, Section 10-203, Annotated Code of Maryland. Consult the Maryland Register, Code of Maryland Regulations and Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for full legal text.

Not sure where Tidal and Non-Tidal regulations apply? Check here for a description of where the Tidal/Non-Tidal lines are.

IN TIDAL WATERS OF THE STATE IT IS LAWFUL:

1. between June 15 and December 31 of each year, for an individual to take or shoot fish, within specific seasons and limits established by the Department, with a spear gun and spear.

2. to take or shoot, carp, garfish, skate, bullfish, oyster toads, swelling toads (blowfish), American eel, sea lamprey, stingrays or other ray fish with a spear gun or spear at any time.

3. to take or shoot carp, garfish, skate, bullfish, oyster toads, swelling toads (blowfish), stingrays or other ray fish with a bow and arrow (except crossbow).

4. to use a seine up to 50 feet in length and five feet wide to obtain bait minnows.

5. to use a cast net (up to 10 feet in radius) in the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries where nets are permitted.

6. to keep any size white perch if caught by hook and line.

7. to use an "umbrella rig" that has no more than two (2) hooks or two (2) sets of hooks

IN TIDAL WATERS OF THE STATE IT IS UNLAWFUL:

1. to have in one's possession aboard any boat on the tidal waters of Maryland any striped bass CUT UP or FILLET during the open or closed season for striped bass. Striped bass must be landed whole.

2. to have in one's possession aboard any boat on the tidal waters of Maryland more than fifteen (15) pounds of any fish CUT UP upon which a size or weight limit is prescribed by law or regulations.

3. to have in one's possession American or hickory shad.

4. to use more than two (2) hooks or two (2) sets of hooks for each rod or line. Artificial lures or plugs with multiple hooks are considered one (1) set of hooks.

5. for a person to use eel as bait except during the recreational summer striped bass season.

6. to cull striped bass during open seasons.

7. during striped bass season to fillet a striped bass. Striped bass must be landed whole.

8. to fish for striped bass by any means or practice catch-and-release of striped bass in spawning rivers from March 1 through May 31.

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