Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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2026 STRIPED BASS REGULATIONS MAPS

The maps below represent the 2026​ striped bass regulations. ​

Jan 1 - Feb. 28 regulations map  March 1 - 31 regulations map
April 1 - April 30 regulations map  May 1 - May 15 map
May 16 - May 31 regulations map  June 01 - July 31 regulations map
August 1 - August 31 regulations map  September 1 - December 5 regulations map
December 6 - 31 regulations map


Please refer to the tables below for more specific information.​​

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Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Tributaries


(excluding the Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River and Northeast River)



FISHING LOCATIONS ALLOWEDCREEL AND SIZE LIMITSRESTRICTIONS AND REMARKS
JAN. 1 – FEB. 28All areas open to catch and release fishing only.No harvest.
  • Catch and release only.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.
MAR. 1–APR. 30Chesapeake Bay downstream from a line between Abbey Point and Worton Point to the Virginia line including Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds.No harvest.
  • Catch and release only.
  • Stinger (trailing) hooks are prohibited.
  • Barbless hooks are required when trolling.
  • No more than 6 lines may be employed while trolling.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Spawning rivers and the Upper Bay spawning area are off limits.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.
MAY 1–MAY 15Chesapeake 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).1 fish per person per day. Must be at least 19" and cannot exceed 24".
  • Stinger (trailing) hooks are prohibited.
  • Barbless hooks are required when trolling.
  • No more than 6 lines may be employed while trolling.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Spawning rivers and the Upper Bay spawning area are off limits.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.
MAY 16–MAY 31Chesapeake 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.1 fish per person per day. Must be at least 19" and cannot exceed 24".
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • ​Spawning rivers and the Upper Bay spawning area are off limits.
JUNE 1–JULY 31All areas open.1 fish per person per day. Must be at least 19" and cannot exceed 24".
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
AUG. 1–AUG. 31All areas closed to striped bass fishing.CLOSED
  • No targeting.
  • Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
SEPT. 1–DEC. 5All areas open.1 fish per person per day. Must be at least 19" and cannot exceed 24".
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
DEC. 6–DEC. 31All areas open to catch and release fishing only.No harvest.
  • Catch and release only.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.

Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River, and Northeast River



FISHING LOCATIONS ALLOWEDCREEL AND SIZE LIMITSRESTRICTIONS AND REMARKS
JAN. 1 – FEB. 28All areas open to catch and release fishing only.No harvest.
  • Catch and release only.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.
MAR. 1–MAR. 31All areas open to catch and release fishing only.No harvest.
  • Catch and release only.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Stinger (trailing) hooks are prohibited.
  • Barbless hooks are required when trolling.
  • No more than 6 lines may be employed while trolling.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Spawning rivers and the Upper Bay spawning area are off limits.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.
APR 1-MAY 31All waters upstream of a line from Abbey Point to Worton Point closed to striped bass fishing.CLOSED
  • No targeting.
  • Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
JUNE 1–JULY 31All areas open.1 fish per person per day. Must be at least 19" and cannot exceed 24".
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
AUG. 1–AUG. 31All areas closed to striped bass fishing.CLOSED
  • No targeting.
  • Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
SEPT. 1–DEC. 5All areas open.1 fish per person per day. Must be at least 19" and cannot exceed 24".
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
DEC. 6–DEC. 31All areas open to catch and release fishing only.No harvest.
  • Catch and release only.
  • Circle hook rules remain the same.
  • Eels may not be used as bait.
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For regulations for the Potomac Mainstem
visit the Potomac River Fisheries Commission page at ​prfc.us​
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