Waterbody · Maryland · Virginia
Chesapeake Bay Fishing Regulations 2026
Chesapeake Bay fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are red drum, speckled trout, striped bass. 294 current rules across 51 species from 2 state agencies (Maryland, Virginia).
Species pages for Chesapeake Bay
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Maryland waters
194 rules from DNR, 45 species.
Striped Bass
Chesapeake Bay From The Brewerton Channel To The Virginia Line, Excluding All Bays, Sounds, Tributaries, Creeks And Rivers, Except Tangier And Pocomoke Sounds And All Potomac River Tributaries Downstream Of The Nice Memorial Bridge (U.s. 301).Out of season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- May 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Eels may not be used as bait.
All Areas Closed To Striped Bass Fishing. (Chesapeake Bay And Tidal Tributaries)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
No targeting. Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
All Areas Open. (Chesapeake Bay And Tidal Tributaries)Out of season
- Season opens
- Sep 1
- Season closes
- Dec 5
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
Chesapeake Bay And Tidal TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Gear
- No Live Bait
DEC. 6–DEC. 31 SEPT. 1–DEC. 5 Eels may not be used as bait. DEC. 6–DEC. 31
All Areas Open To Catch And Release Fishing Only. (Chesapeake Bay And Tidal Tributaries)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Dec 6
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No harvest. Eels may not be used as bait.
Chesapeake Bay Downstream From A Line Between Abbey Point And Worton Point To The Virginia Line Including Tangier And Pocomoke Sounds.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No harvest. Eels may not be used as bait.
Chesapeake Bay Downstream From A Line Drawn From The South Corner Of Hart-Miller Island Dike To The End Of Md Route 21 At Tolchester And South To The Md/Va Line, Excluding All Bays, Sounds, Tributaries, Creeks And Rivers. Except: Tangier Sound And Pocomoke Sound; Chester River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of A Line Drawn From Hail Point To Long Point To Ferry Point; Patuxent River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of A Line Drawn From Point Patience To The West Point Of Land At The Entrance Of Little Kingston Creek; Choptank River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of A Line Drawn From Holland Point To A Point Of Land At The West Entrance Of Chapel Creek; And All Potomac River Tributaries Downstream Of The Nice Memorial Bridge (U.s. 301) Are Open.
- Season opens
- May 16
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
Chesapeake Bay Or Its Tidal Tributaries
- Gear
- Spear Gun Prohibited
To take or shoot striped bass with a spear gun and spear in the tidal waters of the state.
Chesapeake Bay
- Season opens
- 00-00
- Gear
- Spear Gun And Spear
Fishing in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries from midnight to 5 a.m. To take or shoot striped bass with a spear gun and spear in the tidal waters of the state
Tidal Tributaries Of The Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take striped bass
All AreasCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Gear
- Angling Only
DEC. 6–DEC. 31 • No harvest • Circle hook rules remain the same. • Eels may not be used as bait. SEPT. 1–DEC. 5 To use more than two hooks or two sets of hooks for each rod or line. Artificial lures or plugs with multiple hooks are considered 1 set of hooks.
All Areas Closed To Striped Bass Fishing. (Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River, And Northeast River)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
No targeting. Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
All Areas Open To Catch And Release Fishing Only. (Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River, And Northeast River)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Dec 6
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No harvest Eels may not be used as bait.
All Areas Open. (Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River, And Northeast River)Out of season
- Season opens
- Sep 1
- Season closes
- Dec 5
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
All Nontidal Reservoirs, Lakes, And Ponds.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 30"
only one of those fish may be larger than 30 inches
All State Waters (Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Bays And Their Tributaries)Open year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
- Gear
- No Live Bait
treble hooks are prohibited
Any Tidal Waters
- Gear
- Non Offset Circle Hook
When using fish, crabs, or worms as bait, or processed bait
Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Bays And Their Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
- Gear
- Circle Hooks
Jan. 1–Dec. 31 Must always use non-offset circle hooks when using fish, crabs or worms as bait or processed baits (treble hooks are prohibited) when targeting striped bass. Jan. 1–Dec. 31
Catch And Release Only*Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 40"
These species are only eligible for the Catch and Release Award
Chester River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of A Line Drawn From Hail Point To Long Point To Ferry Point
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
MAY 16–MAY 31
Choptank River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of A Line Drawn From Holland Point To A Point Of Land At The West Entrance Of Chapel Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
MAY 16–MAY 31
Designated Spawning AreasClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Mar 1
To fish for striped bass by any means or practice catch-and-release of striped bass from March 1–May 31.
No Area Restrictions In State Waters
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
JAN. 1–DEC. 31 Must always use non-offset circle hooks when using fish, crabs or worms as bait or processed baits (treble hooks are prohibited) when targeting striped bass.
Nontidal (Lakes And Ponds)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 18"
only one of which may be over 30 inches. only one of which may be over 30 inches
Patuxent River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of A Line Drawn From Point Patience To The West Point Of Land At The Entrance Of Little Kingston Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
MAY 16–MAY 31
Pocomoke Sound
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
MAY 16–MAY 31
Potomac River Tributaries Downstream Of The Nice Memorial Bridge (U.s. 301)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
MAY 16–MAY 31
Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River, And Northeast RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Gear
- No Live Bait
DEC. 6–DEC. 31 SEPT. 1–DEC. 5 Eels may not be used as bait. DEC. 6–DEC. 31
Susquehanna Flats, Upstream Of A Line From Sandy Point To Turkey Point And The Susquehanna River Downstream From A Line Connecting The Susquehanna State Park Boat Ramp At Lapidum (Defined By Lat. 39°35.86' N And Long. 76°07.67' W) To Twin Rocks (Defined By Lat. 39°36.17' N And Long. 76°07.56' W) To Tomes Wharf In Port Deposit (Defined By Lat. 39°36.23' N And Long. 76°06.99' W); And The Northeast River.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No harvest. Eels may not be used as bait.
Tangier Sound
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
MAY 16–MAY 31
Maryland statewideOut of season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
All Species
Chesapeake Bay
- Gear
- No Stinger Hooks
March 1–May 15: Anglers in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries may not use stinger hooks
Chesapeake Bay Tributaries
- Gear
- J Hook
When live-lining, anglers in the Chesapeake Bay or its tributaries must use a non-offset circle hook unless they are using a minnow, or any other type of fish less than 4" in length, other than a spot or white perch, in which case they may use a non-offset circle hook or a J-hook.
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal Tributaries
- Gear
- Eel Pots
Licensed - Up to 10 eel pots for catching your own bait. Must be labeled with your DNRid and may not be set in a buoy-free channel. May not be used to harvest crabs.
Chesapeake Bay Tidal Tributaries
- Gear
- No Stinger Hooks
March 1–May 15: Anglers in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries may not use stinger hooks
Tidal Tributaries Of The Chesapeake BayOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jul 1
- Season closes
- Feb 28
Jugs may only be used in tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay Jugs may only be used from July 1–February 28
Chesapeake Bay Or Its Tributaries
- Gear
- J Hook
When live-lining, if using a minnow, or any other type of fish less than 4" in length, other than a spot or white perch
Chesapeake Bay Or Its Tidal Tributaries
- Gear
- No Stinger Hooks
March 1-May 15
Blue Crab
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal TributariesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 15
- Daily bag
- 6 dozen
- Possession
- 2 dozen
- Gear
- Seine
Annual registration required for crab pots. Licensed Boat - With any number of licensed or unlicensed individuals (April 1–June 30, if using a container other than a bushel basket) Licensed Individual - From shore, From unlicensed boat, From waterfront crab pots (Male Peelers, Soft Crabs or Combination) Licensed - Mesh cannot be greater than ¼". Cannot exceed 50' in width and 5' in height. Must be emptied from shore.
Chesapeake Bay MainstemOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Setting gear and catching crabs is allowed one half hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. during May through Sept.
American Eel
Chesapeake BayIn season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
- Daily bag
- 25 fish
- Gear
- Spears And Baited Traps Or Pots Year Round
Jan. 1–Aug. 31, except open year round for spears and baited traps or pots Daily—25 except open year round for spears and baited traps or pots
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
- Daily bag
- 25 fish
Jan. 1–Aug. 31, except open year round for spears and baited traps or pots Daily—25
Eel
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal TributariesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
To use eels as bait while fishing with hook and line from Dec. 6–May 15 and Aug. 1–Aug. 31, inclusive.
Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
To use eels as bait while fishing with hook and line in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from Dec. 6–May 15 and Aug. 1–Aug. 31, inclusive.
Chesapeake Bay Tidal TributariesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
To use eels as bait while fishing with hook and line in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from Dec. 6–May 15 and Aug. 1–Aug. 31, inclusive.
Black Drum
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal Tributaries
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 6 fish
- Min size
- 16"
Open Year Round Daily—1, Boat Limit—6 Boat Limit—6 16 inches
White Perch
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal Tributaries
- Min size
- 8"
if caught with other gear
Chesapeake Bay And Tributaries And Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Bays And TributariesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
To keep any size white perch if caught by hook and line.
Chesapeake Bay Or Its Tributaries
- Gear
- Non Offset Circle Hook Or J Hook
white perch...in which case they may use a non-offset circle hook or a J-hook
Blue Crabs
Chesapeake Bay And Its Tidal TributariesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 15
To possess an egg-bearing (sponge) crab or any female hard or peeler crab.
Largemouth Bass
Tidal Tributaries Of The Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species
Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species
Smallmouth Bass
Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species
Tidal Tributaries Of The Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
May not be used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species
Cobia
Chesapeake BayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
May catch-and-release Sept. 21–June 14
Tautog
Chesapeake BayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
May catch-and-release May 16–June 30
Plus 33 more species. See the Maryland pillar page for the full list.
Virginia waters
100 rules from DWR, 12 species.
Striped Bass
Chesapeake Bay Spring SeasonOut of season
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
Chesapeake Bay Fall SeasonOut of season
- Season opens
- Oct 4
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
Appomattox RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
seasonal fishery, run out of Lake Chesdin
Atlantic Ocean Waters Beyond The 3 Mile LimitClosed
- Status
- Closed
closed to the taking and possession of striped bass all year.
Back BayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Blackwater (Chowan Drainage)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
No possession
Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage)Open
- Status
- Permitted
limited numbers
Clinch RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
sometimes caught in lower stretches, migrate out of Norris Reservoir in Tennessee
Dan RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
run begins in late April run continues through May
Leesville ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 53 lbs. 7 oz. on 3-16-2000
Meherrin RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
North Landing RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Northwest RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Northwest Rivers And Their Tributaries Plus Back BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
No possession
Nottoway RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Virginia Coastal SeasonsIn season
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
Speckled Trout
Virginia statewideOut of season
- Season opens
- Jul 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/person
- Min size
- 14"
- Slot max
- 24"
Closed April 1 - June 30, 2026 only 1 greater than 24"
Red Drum
Back Bay And Tributaries, Including Brinson’s Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh), And The North Landing River And Its Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 27"
between 18 and 27 inches
Virginia statewideCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
RELEASE ONLY
Anadromous (Coastal) Striped Bass
All Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay Above The Fall LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal waters
All Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay And Crane Lake (City Of Suffolk)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal waters
Spotted Seatrout
Back Bay And Tributaries, Including Brinson’s Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh), And The North Landing River And Its Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
no fish less than 14 inches
All Species
Chesapeake BayOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Vessels are asked to remain at least 300 feet from large whales such as humpback and fin whales
River Herring
Above And Below The Fall Line In All Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay And Their TributariesClosed
- Status
- Closed
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission enacted a ban on the possession of river herring, effective January 1, 2012, due to the collapse of the stock, and to comply with an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission fishery management plan directive
Yellow Perch
Tidal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay Below The Fall Line
- Min size
- 9"
No yellow perch less than 9 inches
Herring
Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake BayClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Unlawful to possess herring
Hickory Shad
Above And Below The Fall Line In All Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay And Their TributariesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Creel and length limits shall be the same as those set by the Virginia Marine Resources Comm. in tidal rivers
Anadromous (Coastal) Blueback Herring
Above And Below The Fall Line In All Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay And Their TributariesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission enacted a ban on the possession of river herring, effective January 1, 2012, due to the collapse of the stock, and to comply with an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission fishery management plan directive
Anadromous (Coastal) Alewife
Above And Below The Fall Line In All Coastal Rivers Of The Chesapeake Bay And Their TributariesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission enacted a ban on the possession of river herring, effective January 1, 2012, due to the collapse of the stock, and to comply with an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission fishery management plan directive
FAQ
Which states regulate fishing on Chesapeake Bay?
Chesapeake Bay spans 2 states (Maryland, Virginia). Each state's wildlife agency sets rules for its own waters; DNR / DWR.
What species can I target on Chesapeake Bay?
Chesapeake Bay is best known for red drum, speckled trout, striped bass. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR / DWR's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.