No Limits and No Seasons for Catching Invasive Fish
Lend a rod or fork to Maryland and help remove blue catfish from our waters! They are a great catch and a tasty, locally sourced meal. Check out the resources below, then
buy a fishing license so nothing stops you from joining the pursuit of blue catfish.
About Blue Catfish
Blue catfish are considered an invasive species in Maryland. They are native to the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins but were introduced into rivers of Virginia in the 1970s and 1980s. In the past 20 years, blue catfish have spread into all major tidal rivers of Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay.
With hearty appetites and rapid reproduction, blue catfish pose a threat to native aquatic wildlife. Maryland DNR is working to measure and mitigate their impact on local ecosystems. The Chesapeake Bay has got the blues, but luckily, these fish are fun to catch—and there are no seasons or limits on fishing for them!
Fish For Blue Catfish
Anglers, cast away!
There are so many blue catfish in Maryland that it’s a problem and an opportunity. These fish are easy enough to catch for beginners and put up enough fight for experienced anglers to enjoy.
Eat Wild-Caught Blue Catfish
Locally-sourced, high-protein, and delicious
No muddy flavor here. Blue catfish are unique in that they are not “bottom feeders” and their meat is flaky, white, and mild in taste. Whether you’re a foodie or a casual home cook, Maryland-caught blue catfish is an easy, high-protein choice.
Get Started:
Book a Blue Catfish Guided Trip
All the fun and fresh fillets— none of the work
Enjoy a fishing outing, do your part for the Chesapeake Bay, and take home delicious white meat fish at the end of the day.
Get Started:
Contact a charter or guide and tell them you want to catch blue catfish!
Rock on Charter Fishing - Vessel: Pathfinder
- Regions: Upper, Middle, Lower, Tangier Sound
- Location:4010 Christian Parran Rd, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
- Contact:(240) 372-1864 | [email protected] | https://fishrockon.com/
Vista Lady - Captain Jeff Popp
- Regions: Upper, Middle, Lower
- Location: Hard Yacht Cafe, 8500 Cove Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222
- Contact: (410) 790-2015 | [email protected] | https://www.vistaladyfish.com/
Desperate Measures Guide Service - Captain Cole Langley
- Regions:Upper, Middle, Lower, Tangier Sound
- Location: 17238 St. Jerome's Neck Rd, Dameron, MD 20628
- Contact:(240) 925-7918 | [email protected] | https://www.desperatemeasuresfishing.com/
Strike Zone - Captain Wally Williams
- Regions: Middle, Lower
- Location: Dowell Rd, Lusby, MD
- Contact: (443) 624-0247 | [email protected] | https://www.fishstrikezone.com/
LJK Outdoors, LLC - Vessel: Rock Star
- Regions: Middle, Lower
- Location: 255 Lore Road, Solomons, MD 20688
- Contact: (410) 629-9206 | [email protected] | https://ljkoutdoors.com/
Sick Day Sportfishing
- Regions: Middle, Lower, Tangier Sound
- Location: 6396 Freedom Way, Salisbury, MD 21801
- Contact: (410) 713-9085 | [email protected] | https://sickdaysportfishing.co/
Back Creek Charters - Vessel: Black Eyed Susan
- Regions: Upper, Middle
- Location: Bert Jabin Yacht Yard, Annapolis, MD
- Contact: (410) 707-3805 | [email protected] | https://www.backcreekcharters.com/
FinNFeatherChesapeake - Vessel: Step N' Stone
- Regions: Upper, Middle
- Location: Cuckold Rd, Millers Island, MD 21219
- Contact: (443) 691-9334 | [email protected] | https://finnfeatherchesapeake.com/
Rock Hall Fishing Charters - Vessel: Double Down
- Regions: Upper, Middle
- Location: 21055 West Sharp St, Rock Hall, MD 21661
- Contact: (410) 708-2211 | [email protected] | https://rockhallfishingcharters.com/
Vista Lady 2 - Captain Jeff Popp
- Location: Penn Marina, 601 Concord St, Havre de Grace, MD
- Contact: (410) 790-2015 | [email protected] | https://www.vistaladyfish.com/
Bay Hunter II - Captain Mason Hallock
- Location: 1433 Nieman Rd, Shadyside, MD 20764
- Contact: (571) 991-0868 | [email protected] | https://bayhunters.com/
Safari Girl - Captain Mark Brown
- Location: 701 Seneca Gardens Rd, Middle River, MD 21220
- Contact: (410) 207-8362 | [email protected] | https://safarigilcharters.com/
Penny Sue Charters - Captain Mike Smolek
- Location: 1048 Turkey Point Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037
- Contact: (443) 280-4410 | [email protected] | https://www.pennysuecharters.com/
Tuna the Tide - Captain Mark Galasso
- Location: 3015 Kent Narrows Way South, Grasonville, MD
- Contact: (410) 310-1200 | [email protected] | https://www.exploredelmarva.com/
Chesapeake Adventures Sportfishing - Vessel: Reel Time
- Location: 3050 Honey Cove Ct, Prince Frederick, MD 20736
- Contact: (301) 758-3475 | [email protected] | https://goreeltime.com/
Patent Pending - Captain John Whitman
- Location: Herrington Harbor North Marina / Slip C-6, 389 Deale Rd, Tracy's Landing, MD
- Contact: (410) 703-3246 | [email protected] | https://patentpendingcharters.com/
Magic Bowfishing
- Location: 11330 Gum Point Road, Berlin, MD 21811
- Contact: (443) 235-2325 | [email protected] | https://www.magicbowfishing.com/
MARICA II Sportfishing the Chesapeake Bay - Vessel: MARICA II
- Location: 16244 Miller's Wharf Rd, Ridge, MD 20680
- Contact: (301) 872-5506 | [email protected] | https://www.maricaii.com/
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources makes no warranty, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability and fitness, for a particular purpose or assumed liability for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of information provided in the above table.
Go Deeper
What is Maryland DNR doing?
Maryland DNR is actively combating invasive blue catfish by monitoring their populations, researching ecological impacts, promoting consumption through partnerships and reduced fishing barriers, and educating the public about the species' threats. Read the article "Tracking the Blue Cat: Learning to Beat the Invasive Fish"
What else can you do?
Report sightings or catches
Be a citizen scientist. Submit your invasive fish catch information to Maryland DNR.
Another invasive fish prized for its taste and fighting ability, flathead catfish threaten Maryland fisheries.
Catch and eat
Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead)
Another voracious invasive predator, Chesapeake Channa are also exciting to catch and tasty to eat.
Buy a
fishing license
The purchase of licenses, fishing tackle, boats, and marine fuel funds our conservation work, including invasive species management.
