Maryland Administrative Code

.05 Clam Harvester Declaration. A. Registration. (1) A tidal fish licensee who possesses a clam harvester or unlimited tidal fish license under Natural Resources Article, §4-701(d)(ii), Annotated Code of Maryland, shall declare an intent to harvest clams in order to participate i…

.06 Jonah Crabs. A. Definitions. (1) In this regulation the following terms have the meanings indicated. (2) Term Defined. “Federally tagged lobster trap” means a trap that: (a) Meets the requirements described in Regulation .10E and F of this chapter; and (b) Has a tag that was …

.07 Surf Clams. A. Maryland Waters. A person may not catch, attempt to catch, or possess any surf clams harvested from Maryland waters which extend from the Maryland shore to 3 miles offshore. B. Offshore Waters. (1) A person may not possess or land surf clams harvested from offs…

.08 Shrimp. A. Recreational Fishery. (1) An individual may use any gear authorized in COMAR 08.02.25.03 to catch shrimp for recreational purposes. (2) There is no closed season, size limit, or catch or possession limit for the recreational fishery. (3) An individual catching or a…

.09 Seafood Dealers. A. A person licensed to buy, process, pack, resell, market, or otherwise deal in soft-shell clams, hard-shell clams, or oysters in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall: (1) Accept soft-shell clams, hard-shell cl…

.10 American Lobsters. A. An individual who catches an egg bearing female lobster that measures 3-3/8 inches to 5-1/4 inches in length from the rear end of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of body shell (carapace) to the rear of the body shell shall: (1) Ma…

.11 Hydraulic Clam Dredge. A. General Restrictions. (1) An individual may not operate a hydraulic clam dredge unless they possess a valid tidal fish license to catch clams. (2) The owner of a hydraulic clam dredge may not permit the operation of the dredge by more than one indivi…

.12 Reporting. A. Shellfish Buy Ticket. (1) A shellfish buy ticket shall be: (a) Provided by the Department; (b) Completed in accordance with this regulation; and (c) Returned to the Department in accordance with this regulation. (2) When soft-shell clams of the species Mya arena…

.13 Freshwater Mussels. A. Definition. (1) In this regulation, the following term has the meaning indicated. (2) Term Defined. “Freshwater mussel” means all species of freshwater mussels in the order Unionoida. B. Prohibition of Catching, Possession, or Sale of Freshwater Mussels…

.14 Conch. A. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, a person may not catch, land, or possess a conch measuring less than 6 inches total length from the spiral apex to the outer tip of the opening. B. Channeled Whelk. A person may catch, land or possess a channeled whelk me…

.01 Monetary Value of Tidal Water and Non-tidal Water Aquatic Animals. A. To assess a reasonable monetary value for aquatic resources in the event of man-caused mortality, the following tables of prices for various species and sizes are established. B. Fresh and Brackish Water Fo…

.01 Horseshoe Crabs. A. Quota. (1) The annual total allowable landings of horseshoe crabs for the commercial fishery shall be established and may be modified through a public notice issued in accordance with §G of this regulation. (2) Any annual overages in the fishery will be de…

.01 Trout Fishing and Management Areas. A. Basic Statewide Trout Fishing. Except as listed in §§B—I of this regulation, the following shall be in effect for trout fishing in all nontidal waters of the State: (1) Open season — year around; (2) Fishing hours — from 5:30 a.m. to 10 …

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Daily creel limit” means the total number of a species of fish that can be in an individual's possession while afield or on the water between 12:01 a.m. and midnight. (2) …

.03 Special Fisheries Management Areas. A. Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass Slot Length Limit Fishing Areas. (1) The following special regulations are in effect in these areas during the open season for largemouth and smallmouth bass: (a) A person may possess five bass (largem…

.04 Statewide General Regulations. A. Open Seasons, Creel, Possession, and Size Limits on Game and Fresh Water Fish in Nontidal Waters. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter for specific areas, the following apply Statewide: (1) Open Seasons. Species Open Season (a) Walley…

.05 Fee Fishing Lakes. A. The Department may issue permits authorizing the establishment and operation of artificial or man-made ponds or lakes owned, leased, or controlled by an individual, if they are constructed so as not to interfere with fishing rights or natural migration o…

.06 Youghiogheny River Lake. A. All species of Trout and Salmon. (1) The following apply from 8 a.m. the first Saturday after April 11 through Labor Day: (a) The minimum size is 7 inches; and (b) The daily catch limit is 5 (combined species). (2) The following apply from 12:01 a.…

.07 Repealed.

.08 Special Regulations for Deer Creek and Swan Creek. A. Manner of Fishing. Subject to the provisions of §C of this regulation, a person may catch or attempt to catch fish in Deer Creek and Swan Creek only by hook and line, with the line held in hand, attached to a pole or rod h…

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Endangered species” means any species whose continued existence as a viable component of the State's fish resources is determined to be in jeopardy, including any species …

.02 Factors for Endangered or Threatened Determination. A. Determination Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. (1) Any species of fish determined to be an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act shall be considered an endangered species under the provisions of…

.03 Listing of Species. A. The following species are listed as in need of conservation: (1) Striped bass (Morone saxatilis); (2) American shad (Alosa sapidissima); (3) Hickory shad (Alosa mediocris); (4) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens); (5) American oyster (Crassostrea virginica)…

.04 Prohibitions. A. Except as authorized by Natural Resources Article, §4-2A-08(a), Annotated Code of Maryland, or by a permit issued by the Secretary under §B of this regulation, a person may not take, possess, transport, export, process, sell, offer for sale, deliver, carry, o…

.01 Purpose and Definitions. A. This chapter establishes suspension and revocation criteria for fishing privileges under Natural Resources Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland. B. Definitions. (1) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicat…

.02 Commercial License Suspension and Revocation. A. A person shall be notified when their tidal fish license, authorization, or entitlement to engage in a particular activity or activities under a tidal fish license is or may be subject to suspension or revocation. B. Before the…

.03 Point Assignment Schedule. A. For each conviction of a chargeable offense listed in §§C—I of this regulation, the Department shall enter on the record of the person the number of points listed for that particular conviction. B. The points associated with each conviction are d…

.04 Repealed.

.05 Recreational Fishing Suspension and Revocation. A. Any person who is convicted of an offense under §§D—H of this regulation or similar offenses under federal law in Maryland may: (1) Have all recreational fishing licenses issued by the Department revoked; (2) Be prohibited fr…

.06 Commercial Fishing Records. Pending Changes This section will be changed by the following pending documents: July 15, 2026: Maryland Register, Volume 52, Issue 23 A. Any person licensed to fish commercially shall accurately record their catch on forms provided by the Departme…

.07 Commercial Charter Boat and Fishing Guide License Suspension Schedule. A. A person guiding fishing parties in Maryland in any capacity shall be notified that their tidal fish license, authorization, or entitlement to guide fishing parties may be subject to suspension or revoc…

.08 Charter Boat/Fishing Guide Point Assignment Schedule. A. For each conviction of a chargeable violation listed in §§D—J of this regulation, the Department shall enter on the record of a fishing guide the number of points listed for that particular offense. Points accumulated u…

.09 Revocation of a Striped Bass or Crab Authorization. A. Definitions. (1) In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (2) Terms Defined. (a) Egregious means an offense which displays a wanton disregard for a requirement of the striped bass or crab fishe…

.10 Seafood Dealer Penalties. A. For each conviction of a chargeable offense listed in §§E—K of this regulation, the Department shall enter on the record of the person the number of points listed for that particular conviction. B. The points and penalties associated with each con…

.01 Scope. This chapter applies to the collection, permitting, possession, production, processing, marking, transporting, purchase, or sale of fish or aquatic plants, except for shellfish aquaculture on a leased or licensed area as described in COMAR 08.02.23, which are the produ…

.02 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the orderly development of an aquaculture industry in Maryland, while ensuring that aquaculture operations do not adversely impact upon the State's wild stocks of fish.

.03 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Aquaculture” means the commercial rearing of the species of fish or aquatic plants listed in Regulation .07, or as otherwise permitted by these regulations. It includes on…

.04 Permit Requirements for Aquacultural Activities. A. A person may not engage in aquaculture or related activities, own or operate an aquaculture facility, or propagate fish for aquacultural purposes without first obtaining a permit from the Department. B. A person may not cond…

.05 Types of Permits. A. The Department may issue permits to engage in the following aquacultural activities: (1) The aquaculture of native and naturalized species of fish or aquatic plants listed in Regulation .07; (2) The aquaculture of any native or naturalized species of fish…

.06 Application Procedures. A. One or more of the activities specified in Regulation .05A may be requested in the same application. B. On an application form provided by the Department, a person who wishes to engage in aquaculture or aquacultural activities in Maryland (referred …

.07 Permitted Species. A. The Department may issue permits for the following species or families of fish and aquatic plants: (1) Fish. Common Name Scientific Name (a) American Eel Anguilla rostrata (b) American Shad Alosa sapidissima (c) Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (d) Brow…

.08 General Terms and Conditions Applicable to Permits. A. The following terms and conditions apply to permits issued under the authority of this chapter, whether expressly set forth in the permit document itself or not: (1) Finfish products of any aquacultural activity shall be …

.09 Approval of Permits. A. The Department may issue a permit to engage in aquaculture activities authorized by law and these regulations, after receipt and approval of a completed application. B. Permits issued by the Department shall be: (1) Valid for a 5-year period, and expir…

.10 Special Requirements. A. Native or Naturalized Species. Facilities which produce native or naturalized fish species listed in Regulation .07 shall confine production to the permitted location. B. Non-native Species. (1) A person may not conduct aquaculture activities using no…

.11 Reports. A. A permittee shall submit an annual report of activities undertaken under the permit on a form provided by the Department. B. A permittee shall furnish other information necessary to complete an application, or to report on activities conducted under the permit.

.12 Suspension or Revocation of Permits. A. The Department may suspend or revoke a permit of a permittee who violates the terms or conditions of the aquaculture permit, these regulations, or the laws governing aquaculture in Maryland. B. If the Department has reason to believe th…

.01 Scope. A. Except in accordance with COMAR 08.02.05, 08.02.11, 08.02.14, and this chapter, it is illegal for a person to take, possess, transport, export, process, sell, offer for sale, or ship any striped bass (Morone saxatilis), including striped bass taken in the State’s Te…

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Allocation” means pounds or numbers of striped bass which a striped bass permittee is provided on an annual basis. (2) “Commercial tidal fish licensee” means a person lice…

.03 Spawning Rivers, Areas, and Reaches. A. For purposes of this chapter, the designation of a spawning river, area, and reach includes all tributaries to the river, area, or reach. B. The following waters are designated as striped bass spawning rivers and areas: (1) Choptank Riv…

.04 Tidal Fish Licensee Intent to Fish. A. Striped Bass Permit. (1) The total number of permits authorizing commercial licensees to fish for striped bass may not exceed: (a) 1,231 for commercial tidal fish licensees; and (b) 499 for fishing guide licensees. (2) A commercial tidal…