Ocean City Fishing Rules and Regulations

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries is your main source for fishing rules and regulations in Ocean City Maryland. To see current fishing regulations please visit the Maryland DNR website. 

It is the angler’s responsibility to know and abide by all current regulations, notices, and law. Please contact NMFS for regulations pertaining to Tunas, Shark, Swordfish, Billfish, Sailfish, and Marlin.

Atlantic Seasons, Sizes, & Limits - Maryland Fishing | eRegulations

Atlantic Seasons, Sizes, & Limits

Species

Minimum Size Limits

Season

Creel Limit

American Eel

9 inches

January 1–August 31, except open year round for spears and baited traps or pots

Daily—25

Black Drum

16 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—1 Boat limit—6

Black Sea Bass

13 inches

May 15 - December 11

Daily—15

Bluefish

8 inches

Open Year Round

Shore or Private Boat: Daily—3
For-Hire Boat: Daily—5

Cobia

40 inches

June 15–September 15

1 cobia per person per day; or up to 2 cobia per vessel per day if there are 2 or more individuals on the vessel

Croaker (Hardhead)

9 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—25

Dolphinfish (Mahi-Mahi)*

None

Open Year Round

Daily—10 Boat limit—54

Grouper Species

None

Open Year Round

Daily—1

Lobster

33⁄8–5¼ inches
carapace length

CLOSED Feb. 1–March 31

100/person/24 hour period or 500 for a 5-day or longer trip when using gear other than lobster traps

Red Drum (Channel Bass or Puppy Drum)

18–27 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—1

Scup (Porgy)

9 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—50

Sheepshead

None

Open Year Round

Daily—4

Shrimp (brown, white)

None

Open Year Round

None

Snapper Species (includes many species, please see list)

None

Open Year Round

Daily—20

Spanish Mackerel*

14 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—15

Spot

None

Open Year Round

Daily—50

Spotted Seatrout

14 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—4

Striped Bass

See Atlantic Striped Bass Section

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

16.5 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—4

Tautog

16 inches

CLOSED May 16–June 30

January 1–May 15: Daily—4

July 1–October 31: Daily—2

November 1–December 31: Daily—4

Tilefish (Blueline, Golden, Sand)

Must follow federal limits and season, permit and reporting requirements

Wahoo*

None

Open Year Round

Daily—2

Weakfish

13 inches

Open Year Round

Daily—1

Alewife Herring, American Shad, Atlantic Sturgeon, Blueback Herring, Hickory Shad and Shortnose Sturgeon

CLOSED