When is striped bass (rockfish) season in Maryland?

Chesapeake Bay MD-distinctive: spring TROPHY May 16 – May 31 (35 in min, 1 / day, approved areas only); summer/fall Jun 1 – Aug 31 + Sep 1 – Dec 10 (19 in min, 1 / day, circle hooks required); Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15; Atlantic Ocean ASMFC 28–31 in slot + 1 / day. Those are the 2026 Maryland dates; always confirm against Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the Maryland bag limit for striped bass (rockfish)?

The Maryland daily bag limit for striped bass (rockfish) is 1 / day per angler (Chesapeake Bay MD recreational rule; Atlantic Ocean 1 / day ASMFC harmonized). The possession limit is 1 in possession (recreational). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size striped bass (rockfish) can you keep in Maryland?

The Maryland size rule for striped bass (rockfish) is Chesapeake Bay: 19 in min (summer/fall) + 35 in min (spring TROPHY); Atlantic Ocean: 28–31 in protected slot (ASMFC Addendum II). Slot limit: Atlantic Ocean 28–31 in slot ASMFC; Chesapeake Bay uses minimum-size + season tier, not a slot. Trophy rule: Spring TROPHY season May 16 – May 31, 35 in min in approved Chesapeake Bay areas; Susquehanna Flats April 1 – May 15 catch-and-release ONLY.

Do you need a license to fish for striped bass (rockfish) in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland requires a valid fishing license to fish for striped bass (rockfish), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Maryland license — compare resident and non-resident Maryland fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for striped bass (rockfish) in Maryland?

Yes. In Maryland, striped bass (rockfish) fishing carries these gear rules: Circle hooks REQUIRED on natural bait when targeting striped bass (MD DNR mandatory rule since 2017 — earlier than most ASMFC states); Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licence (+ FREE DNR Tidal Registration) required in all tidal waters; PRFC tidal Potomac compact rules apply on the tidal Potomac — PRFC sport-fishing licence + MD Tidal + VA Saltwater all reciprocally honored; No targeting during closed seasons even for catch-and-release (MD-distinctive rule on listed nursery tributaries); Susquehanna Flats: catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15, no harvest permitted; Confirm current-year MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notices — striped bass rules change in-season under ASMFC plan.

Do specific Maryland waters have different striped bass (rockfish) rules?

Yes. 7 named Maryland waters carry rules that override the statewide striped bass (rockfish) regulation, including Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and 4 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Maryland Striped bass (rockfish) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Morone saxatilis

Last updated May 26, 2026

Maryland is the spiritual home of the Atlantic striped bass — Chesapeake Bay is the species' single largest spawning + nursery system on the entire Atlantic seaboard, producing the majority of the migratory coastal population. The state runs Chesapeake-distinctive seasons separate from the ASMFC ocean rule: a spring TROPHY season (typically May 16 – May 31, 35-inch minimum + 1 fish per angler per day) in approved areas, then the summer/fall recreational season (typically June 1 – August 31, then September 1 – December 10, 19-inch minimum + 1 fish per day). Susquehanna Flats — the shallow head-of-Bay flats where the Susquehanna River enters the Chesapeake near Havre de Grace — runs a Maryland-distinctive catch-and-release-only season April 1 – May 15 (NO harvest permitted), drawing world-famous trophy striper light-tackle and fly-rod anglers from across the country. The Conowingo Dam tailwater on the lower Susquehanna is the East Coast's premier spring striper tailwater. Maryland mandates circle hooks on all natural bait when targeting striped bass (DNR rule since 2017), and has stricter no-targeting-during-closed-season language than most ASMFC states. The Atlantic Ocean side (Ocean City + Assateague) follows the ASMFC harmonized 28-31-inch slot + 1 / day rule. Maryland's striped bass commercial fishery is quota-managed under the ASMFC plan separately from the recreational fishery. Maryland Tidal Sport Fishing Licence + DNR Tidal Registration required; PRFC tidal Potomac compact rules apply on the Maryland side of the tidal Potomac River south of Washington DC.

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Season

Chesapeake Bay MD-distinctive: spring TROPHY May 16 – May 31 (35 in min, 1 / day, approved areas only); summer/fall Jun 1 – Aug 31 + Sep 1 – Dec 10 (19 in min, 1 / day, circle hooks required); Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15; Atlantic Ocean ASMFC 28–31 in slot + 1 / day.

Apr 1 – May 15Susquehanna Flats (Cecil + Harford Counties)
Catch-and-release ONLY — no harvest permitted; MD-distinctive trophy C&R season
May 16 – May 31Chesapeake Bay spring TROPHY season (approved areas)
35 in min, 1 / day; MD-distinctive trophy season distinct from ASMFC ocean slot
Jun 1 – Aug 31Chesapeake Bay summer recreational
19 in min, 1 / day, circle hooks required on natural bait
Sep 1 – Dec 10Chesapeake Bay fall recreational
19 in min, 1 / day, circle hooks required on natural bait
Jan 1 – Dec 31Atlantic Ocean (Ocean City / Assateague)
ASMFC harmonized 28–31 in slot + 1 / day

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 1 / day per angler (Chesapeake Bay MD recreational rule; Atlantic Ocean 1 / day ASMFC harmonized)
Possession: 1 in possession (recreational)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: Chesapeake Bay: 19 in min (summer/fall) + 35 in min (spring TROPHY); Atlantic Ocean: 28–31 in protected slot (ASMFC Addendum II)
Slot: Atlantic Ocean 28–31 in slot ASMFC; Chesapeake Bay uses minimum-size + season tier, not a slot
Trophy rule: Spring TROPHY season May 16 – May 31, 35 in min in approved Chesapeake Bay areas; Susquehanna Flats April 1 – May 15 catch-and-release ONLY

Gear restrictions

Circle hooks REQUIRED on natural bait when targeting striped bass (MD DNR mandatory rule since 2017 — earlier than most ASMFC states)
Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licence (+ FREE DNR Tidal Registration) required in all tidal waters
PRFC tidal Potomac compact rules apply on the tidal Potomac — PRFC sport-fishing licence + MD Tidal + VA Saltwater all reciprocally honored
No targeting during closed seasons even for catch-and-release (MD-distinctive rule on listed nursery tributaries)
Susquehanna Flats: catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15, no harvest permitted
Confirm current-year MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notices — striped bass rules change in-season under ASMFC plan

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Maryland waters:

Chesapeake Bay
Spring TROPHY May 16 – May 31 35 in min, 1 / day; summer/fall 19 in min, 1 / day; circle hooks required
Chesapeake Bay
19 in min summer/fall, 1 / day; spring TROPHY approved areas May 16 – May 31 35 in min
Chesapeake Bay
19 in min summer/fall, 1 / day; PRFC compact on Potomac side
Susquehanna Flats
April 1 – May 15 catch-and-release ONLY; world-famous trophy C&R light-tackle / fly-rod destination
Conowingo Dam tailwater
Spring striped bass migration; C&R below dam April 1 – May 15 paired with Susquehanna Flats
Potomac River — tidal
PRFC compact — MD Tidal + VA Saltwater + PRFC licences reciprocal; tidal striped bass per current PRFC rule
Atlantic Ocean
ASMFC harmonized 28–31 in slot + 1 / day; year-round open with closed dates per ASMFC

Official source

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) publishes the authoritative 2026 Marylandfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The striped bass (rockfish) rules on this page are sourced from Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal)'s official striped bass (rockfish) regulation page.

Visit official Maryland fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Striped bass (rockfish) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Maryland Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Maryland trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is striped bass (rockfish) season in Maryland?: Chesapeake Bay MD-distinctive: spring TROPHY May 16 – May 31 (35 in min, 1 / day, approved areas only); summer/fall Jun 1 – Aug 31 + Sep 1 – Dec 10 (19 in min, 1 / day, circle hooks required); Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15; Atlantic Ocean ASMFC 28–31 in slot + 1 / day. Those are the 2026 Maryland dates; always confirm against Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Maryland bag limit for striped bass (rockfish)?: The Maryland daily bag limit for striped bass (rockfish) is 1 / day per angler (Chesapeake Bay MD recreational rule; Atlantic Ocean 1 / day ASMFC harmonized). The possession limit is 1 in possession (recreational). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size striped bass (rockfish) can you keep in Maryland?: The Maryland size rule for striped bass (rockfish) is Chesapeake Bay: 19 in min (summer/fall) + 35 in min (spring TROPHY); Atlantic Ocean: 28–31 in protected slot (ASMFC Addendum II). Slot limit: Atlantic Ocean 28–31 in slot ASMFC; Chesapeake Bay uses minimum-size + season tier, not a slot. Trophy rule: Spring TROPHY season May 16 – May 31, 35 in min in approved Chesapeake Bay areas; Susquehanna Flats April 1 – May 15 catch-and-release ONLY.
Do you need a license to fish for striped bass (rockfish) in Maryland?: Yes. Maryland requires a valid fishing license to fish for striped bass (rockfish), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Maryland license — compare resident and non-resident Maryland fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for striped bass (rockfish) in Maryland?: Yes. In Maryland, striped bass (rockfish) fishing carries these gear rules: Circle hooks REQUIRED on natural bait when targeting striped bass (MD DNR mandatory rule since 2017 — earlier than most ASMFC states); Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licence (+ FREE DNR Tidal Registration) required in all tidal waters; PRFC tidal Potomac compact rules apply on the tidal Potomac — PRFC sport-fishing licence + MD Tidal + VA Saltwater all reciprocally honored; No targeting during closed seasons even for catch-and-release (MD-distinctive rule on listed nursery tributaries); Susquehanna Flats: catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15, no harvest permitted; Confirm current-year MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notices — striped bass rules change in-season under ASMFC plan.
Do specific Maryland waters have different striped bass (rockfish) rules?: Yes. 7 named Maryland waters carry rules that override the statewide striped bass (rockfish) regulation, including Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and 4 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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