FishMaryland is the state's sport fishing recognition program. The components that make up FishMaryland offer a fun way to explore the state year-round while enjoying Maryland’s many fishing opportunities.

Recreational fishing offers opportunities for families, friends, and individuals to spend quality time, either together or in solitude, while enjoying the natural resources Maryland has to offer.

Keep moving down to learn more about each component of FishMaryland and how to participate.

The Species Award component recognizes anglers who legally land any of the more than 60 eligible trophy sized fish (and blue crab) across five categories (Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake, Nontidal, Catch and Release, and Invasive). And for those up for a challenge, there is the Milestone Awards component that recognizes those anglers who receive Species Awards for multiple species.

1. Catch a trophy-sized fish or blue crab! Make sure your catch meets the minimum eligibility size for the species you caught.
   
2. Fill out the application for your catch and separately email in a photo of the catch as described below.
3. Measure the length of your catch in inches (see illustration) and take a clear photo of it on a measuring device as shown, a photo is required in order to qualify for a certificate. When taking a picture with a cell phone, hold the phone horizontally (landscape), not vertically.




4. ​Email your photo to [email protected], again, you will be instructed on this when filling out the application.
5. If you have any further questions on this procedure or status of your certificate, please send an email to [email protected]. We typically reply to emails within 72 business hours. Please allow more time around holidays.
   

Official Size Requirements

​Anyone who legally catches a fish or blue crab meeting the minimum size requirement listed below will be eligible to apply online for an award.​ All species except for invasive species are eligible for the catch and release category. Those species listed under Catch and Release are only eligible for the catch and release category.​

Click a category below to see award-eligible sizes.

​Species Award Rules

1. ​Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff are ineligible.
   
2. Professional guides, charter boat captains, crew on for-hire fishing boats, or anyone who offers their fish for sale are ineligible.
   
3. Invasive species may be caught using all legal recreational fishing methods (see invasive species rules​​ below). All other species must be caught on rod and reel and from the time that a fish strikes or takes bait or lure, the angler must hook and fight the fish without the aid of any other person. The reel must be operated manually. Once the leader is brought to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to help land the fish.
   
4. Fish that have been snagged, shot, gaffed, speared, scaled, or mutilated are not eligible (see invasive species rules​​ below for exceptions).
   
5. The catch must be legal. Anglers need to be aware of the fishing rules, eligible fish species and sizes.
   
6. All entries with the exception of sharks, marlins, and sailfish must be measured. Measurements are in total length (tip of the nose to the tip of the longest extended portion of the tail of the fish) except when noted otherwise. Exceptions will be made for the establishment of a new state record, in which case the fish must be weighed in accordance with state record rules​.
   
7. Red drum, sharks, marlins and sailfish and any caught and released submission must be released alive.
   
8. Award certificates for sharks, marlins, sailfish and red drum will only be issued for fish that are caught and released. When registering online, please select the catch and release option under the "Catch Summary" heading. When appropriate, exceptions for these species will be made in the case of a state record catch, which requires a weight for the fish.
   
9. Catch must be registered online and the angler must provide a clear photograph ([email protected]) ​so that the species and size can be verified.
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10. You must provide your contact information (or those of your parent or guardian, if you are under 18 years of ag​e).​
    
11. Once your registration is submitted and verified, you will receive your award within 45 days​.
    
12. Submission of photographs authorizes their use by the department for promotion in all media and are made public.
    
13. The department reserves the right to refuse any FishMaryland application for any reason.
14. The department’s decisions regarding FishMaryland are final.

Additional Rules of the Invasive Species Category

1. Invasive species (currently Chesapeake channa, aka Northern snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish) must be killed and may be caught by any legal recreational fishing gear, including rod and reel, bow and arrow, spear, trotline, jugline, etc.
   
2. The submitted photograph(s) must show the invasive fish is dead, in addition to its overall length.
   

​Milestone Award

Milestones recognize those skillful anglers who receive Species Awards​ for multiple trophy-sized species caught (after January 1, 2019). Each milestone is marked with a certificate and a limited edition FishMaryland Milestone sticker. These awards are limited to one per angler.

• ANGLER AWARD - Receive three different Species awards and the angler is recognized with a certificate and a limited edition FishMaryland Milestone yellow sticker.
• EXPERT ANGLER AWARD - Receive five different Species awards and the angler is recognized with a certificate and a limited edition FishMaryland Milestone red sticker.
• MASTER ​ANGLER AWARD - Receive ten different Species awards and the angler is recognized with a certificate and a limited edition FishMaryland Milestone black sticker. The angler also becomes eligible for a Bass Pro Shops gift card.
  

Milestone certificates are awarded automatically, whenever an angler reaches any of the three milestone levels listed above. Follow the instructions in the Species Award section above to submit applications for species awards.​

Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops

Master Angler Award Recipients

Sport Fish State Records

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My First Fish

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My First Fish aims to recognize new anglers and the first fish they catch! A certificate listing the angler's name, date of catch, species caught and where, and fishing buddy or Captain will be awarded to commemorate the event. Click on the My First Fish Certificate to fill out the form and you'll receive a printable pdf to share or print on your own. You can also submit a photo for inclusion on the top right corner of the award

Guidelines

• Any fish that is legally caught in Maryland waters is eligible
• All fish that do not comply with Maryland law or regulations must be immediately returned to the water
• Any angler is eligible regardless of age
  

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