Ocean City Fishing and Boating
Ocean City Fishing and Boating
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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* Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic and Charter/Headboat Permits for Spanish and king mackerel as well as the Atlantic Charter/Headboat Dolphin/Wahoo For Hire Fishing Permit are available through the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, Permits Office. |
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