Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Maryland
State, United States. Authority : Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Fishing and Boating Services.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$55Nonresident Nontidal Angler's License
- Calendar lines open on
- 323 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 91.4 cmMuskellunge / tiger muskie
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 91.4 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Inline Spinners, Pack of 6For : brown trout, rainbow trout, european perch · spoon and spinner fishing
€27.90£14.90Not shipped to the United States
Double-Sided Lure Box (L)For : northern pike, zander, walleye
€34.90£19.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Different rules in Put-and-Take and Special Trout Management Areas; Youth-Only Trout Fishing Day March 21, 2026
Catch and release permitted at all times
Except Deep Creek Lake and Youghiogheny River downstream of Route 42 bridge: closed March 1 - April 15
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–100 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Bass (largemouth and smallmouth)4 nontidal, or as provided by special regulations | 30.5 cm | |
| Walleye4 statewide; Potomac 20 in max Jan 1-Apr 15 in part of mainstem; Deep Creek Lake protected slot 18-21 in | 38.1 cm | |
| Northern pike4 nontidal | 76.2 cm | |
| Muskellunge / tiger muskie4 nontidal | 91.4 cm | |
| Chain pickerel4 nontidal | 35.6 cm | |
| Striped / hybrid striped bass (lakes and ponds)4 only 1 over 30 in | 45.7 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 91.4 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Bass (largemouth and smallmouth, aggregate)4 possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Trout (all species, aggregate)4 statewide; possession 4 | 2 per day |
| Walleye4 possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Northern pike4 possession 4 | 2 per day |
| Muskellunge / tiger muskie4 possession 2 | 1 per day |
| Crappie4 possession 30 | 15 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Nontidal (freshwater) Angler's License1 | annual (365 days) | US$32 |
| Resident Nontidal Angler's License1 | annual | US$32 |
| Resident Nontidal 7-day1 | 7-day | US$16 |
| Nonresident Nontidal Angler's License1 greater of $55 or the fee the angler's home state charges a Maryland resident (reciprocal) | annual | US$55 |
| Nonresident Nontidal 7-day1 greater of $45 or reciprocal fee | 7-day | US$45 |
| Nonresident Nontidal 3-day1 greater of $35 or reciprocal fee | 3-day | US$35 |
| Resident Trout Stamp (required to fish for/possess trout in nontidal waters)3 | annual | US$20 |
| Nonresident Trout Stamp3 | annual | US$30 |
| Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License (65+, tidal + nontidal, trout stamp separate)3 | annual | US$12 |
| Resident Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License2 | annual | US$15 |
| Resident Chesapeake Bay & Coastal 7-day2 | 7-day | US$6 |
| Nonresident Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License2 | annual | US$22.50 |
| Nonresident Chesapeake Bay & Coastal 7-day2 | 7-day | US$12 |
Buy the licence on mdoutdoors.maryland.gov
- Ages and exemptions1
- Angler's license required for persons 16 years old or older in nontidal waters (under 16 exempt). Also exempt: landowners/tenants on adjoining nontidal water, free fishing days, holders of the resident consolidated senior license (65+).
Good to know
Separate licenses for nontidal (freshwater) and Chesapeake Bay & coastal (tidal) waters. Nonresident nontidal fees are reciprocal (greater of the Maryland fee or the home-state fee). Trout stamp required to fish for or possess trout in nontidal waters. Black bass harvest closed March 1 - June 15 (catch and release only).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- dnr.maryland.gov renvoie 403 (inaccessible) : prix vérifiés dans le Code du Maryland (mgaleg.maryland.gov) et le guide DNR 2026 sur eRegulations ; trout stamp et licence senior uniquement via eRegulations
- pas de licence 1 jour eau douce (la plus courte : 3 jours non-résident, 7 jours résident)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Gunpowder Falls — Catch & Return - Artificial Lures Only river, Baltimore County View on the map
- Savage River — Trophy Trout - Artificial Flies Only river, Garrett County View on the map
- Big Hunting Creek — Catch & Return - Artificial Fly Fishing Only river, Frederick County View on the map
- Beaver Creek — Catch & Return - Artificial Fly Fishing Only river, Washington County View on the map
- Youghiogheny River — Catch & Return - Artificial Lures Only river, Garrett County View on the map
- North Branch Potomac River — Catch & Return - Artificial Lures Only river, Garrett County View on the map
- Casselman River — Delayed Harvest Group 2 river, Garrett County View on the map
- Morgan Run — Catch & Return - Artificial Lures Only river, Carroll County View on the map
- Patuxent River — Catch & Return - Artificial Fly Fishing Only river, Montgomery - Howard County View on the map
- Potomac River — Catch & Return Bass river, Montgomery County View on the map
- Deep Creek Lake lake, Garrett County View on the map
- Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap Lake) lake, Allegany County View on the map
- Piney Run Reservoir reservoir, Carroll County View on the map
- Cunningham Falls Lake lake, Frederick County View on the map
- Little Seneca Lake lake, Montgomery County
Largemouth bass View on the map - Centennial Lake lake, Howard County
Largemouth bass View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Maryland in 2026?
The “Nonresident Nontidal Angler's License” licence costs US$55 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Maryland?
Muskellunge: 91.4 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Maryland Code, Natural Resources §4-604 - Angler's license (fees) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Maryland Code, Natural Resources §4-745 - Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Maryland Fishing Guide (DNR, eRegulations edition) - Licenses & Fees (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Maryland Fishing Guide (DNR, eRegulations edition) - Freshwater Seasons, Sizes & Limits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/
Last checked : 23 September 2026.