Maryland regulations
Blue Catfish Regulations in Maryland 2026
Maryland Blue Catfish regulations: 5 current rules. Sourced from DNR.
Rules (5)
Maryland statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Finfish Trotlines
There are licenses that allow you to use finfish trotlines to harvest and sell blue catfish There are licenses that allow you to use finfish trotlines to harvest and sell blue and flathead catfish caught from tidal waters.
All WaterbodiesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
It is illegal to release live catfish into a waterbody different than where it was caught.
Invasive Division
- Gear
- Angling Only
All legal recreational fishing gear including rod and reel, bow and spear is eligible
Invasive Species Division
- Min size
- 40"
Invasive species division—only harvested fish are eligible
Other Maryland fish regulations
Other regulated species in Maryland with current rule pages — same DNR source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)172 rules
- Stripers (Striped Bass)107 rules
- Largemouth Bass46 rules
- Smallmouth Bass46 rules
- Black Drum10 rules
- Yellow Perch9 rules
- Tog (Tautog / Blackfish)8 rules
- Channel Catfish8 rules
- White Perch7 rules
- Black Sea Bass5 rules
- Bluefish5 rules
- Weakfish5 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)4 rules
- Cobia3 rules
- Redfish (Red Drum)2 rules
- Fluke (Summer Flounder)2 rules
- Spanish Mackerel2 rules
- Sheepshead2 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Blue Catfish season in Maryland?
Blue Catfish season in Maryland is set by DNR. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Blue Catfish in Maryland?
Minimum size for Blue Catfish in Maryland is 40 inches in Invasive Species Division, per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Blue Catfish in Maryland?
Daily bag for Blue Catfish in Maryland varies by zone; see the table above.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/26MDFW_LR5.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/invasive-species
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch.