“Nothing says spring is here like the first day of trophy rockfish season,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services Director Dave Blazer said. “For many Marylanders, it’s a tradition that spans generations.” Photo courtesy Travis Long, Teachers Pet Fishing

Spring Trophy Season

The 2017 spring trophy season kicks off April 15 in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Fishing will run from 5 a.m. April 15 through midnight May 15 with a catch limit of one fish per person, per day. 35 inches or larger. 

Summer/Fall Season

Regulations for the combined summer/fall season, running May 16 through December 20, will remain the same as last year. Anglers can keep two fish per day greater than 20 inches, with one required to be less than 28 inches. Size is measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.

Coastal

Striped bass fishing in the Atlantic Ocean and Maryland’s coastal bays and tributaries is open year-round with a two-fish daily limit. Striped bass on the coast must be between 28 and 38 inches or larger than 44 inches.

Reservoirs

Maryland reservoirs such as Liberty, Piney Run, Triadelphia, Conowingo, Broadford Lake, Jennings Randolph, and Rocky Gorge are also open to fishing year-round with an 18-inch minimum size, two-fish per day possession limit, with only one of the two fish being longer than 30 inches. Find more information about striped bass regulations at eregulations.com.