Maryland Administrative Code

.05 Disposition of Catch. A. Permits and Tags. (1) Prior to the start of a striped bass season, the Department shall provide tamper-evident locking tags to each commercial tidal fish licensee who is authorized to participate in a commercial striped bass fishery. (2) A commercial …

.06 Monitoring. A. Reporting Requirements. (1) The reporting week for a commercial tidal fish or fishing guide licensee participating in a striped bass season is Sunday through Saturday. (2) A check station Department representative shall maintain harvest information and transmit…

.07 Commercial Fishery. A. Chesapeake Bay and Its Tidal Tributaries. (1) Quota. The annual target harvest for the commercial fishery is 42.5 percent of the overall Maryland quota. (2) Size Limits. (a) The minimum legal size for the commercial fishery is 18 inches total length. (b…

.08 Recreational and Charter Boat Spring Fishery. — Repealed. Cross References 08.02.18.04C(1)

.09 Recreational and Charter Boat Striped Bass Fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and Its Tidal Tributaries. A. Seasons and Areas. (1) From May 1 through May 15, a person may catch or possess striped bass only in the following areas: (a) Chesapeake Bay north of the William Preston Lan…

.10 Recreational and Charter Boat Summer and Fall Fishery for Maryland Tributaries of the Potomac River. — Repealed.

.11 Atlantic Coast Recreational and Charter Boat Fishery. A. Minimum Size. A person may catch or possess striped bass in the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays, and their tributaries between 28 inches and 38 inches, inclusive, total length, or 44 inches or larger, total length. B. …

.12 General Restrictions. A. A person may not use a gaff or similar device to remove striped bass from the water. A person who catches striped bass shall remove it from the water only by hand or dip net. B. Possession of Striped Bass. (1) For purposes of this section, “cull” mean…

.01 Scope. This chapter applies to oyster recovery areas and the types of activities which can be conducted in these areas.

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Certified seed” or “certified oyster” means seed oysters having zero prevalence and intensity of MSX and dermo at the time of planting, as determined by current technology…

.03 Oyster Recovery Areas. The following tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay are designated as oyster recovery areas for specific management actions: A. Chester River; B. Choptank River; C. Severn River; D. Magothy River; E. Nanticoke River; and F. Patuxent River. Cross References …

.04 Zone Lines. A. The following geographic areas in §B—G of this regulation designate zones within each ORA for specific management actions. B. Chester River. (1) Zone A is upstream from a line which runs from Lat. 39°06'31.6", Long. 76°07'06.8" southeast from Deep Point across …

.05 Prohibitions. A. Shellfish Harvest. Except as provided in §C of this regulation, shellfish harvesting is prohibited in an area designated as Zone A listed in Regulation .03 of this chapter. B. Seed Certification. Only certified seed shall be planted in areas designated as Zon…

.01 Gumtree Cove — Repealed.

.02 Chicamuxen Creek. A person may not enter, remain in, or catch or attempt to catch fish in the designated portion of Chicamuxen Creek, north of Linton Point off the Potomac River in Charles County, which encompasses the area northeast of a line running from a point at or near …

.01 Scope. This chapter applies to an individual who is licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-210 or 4-210.1, Annotated Code of Maryland, to accept direct or indirect consideration for providing services as a fishing guide to an individual fishing in the water…

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Department” means the Department of Natural Resources. (2) “Licensee” means an individual who holds a valid type NT, type NTT, or type L fishing guide license issued by th…

.03 Freshwater Fishing Guide License — Type NT. A. A type NT freshwater fishing guide license, as authorized by Natural Resources Article, §4-210.1, Annotated Code of Maryland, authorizes the licensee to provide fishing guide services only in the nontidal waters of the State. B. …

.04 Freshwater Fishing Guide License — Type NTT. A. A type NTT freshwater fishing guide license, as authorized by Natural Resources Article, §4-210.1, Annotated Code of Maryland, authorizes the licensee to provide fishing guide services in nontidal waters and designated tidal wat…

.05 Limited Fishing Guide License — Type L. A. A type L limited fishing guide license, as authorized by Natural Resources Article, §4-210, Annotated Code of Maryland, authorizes the licensee to provide fishing guide services in all waters of the State. B. Striped Bass. (1) Notwit…

.06 General Provisions. A. Licensee Requirements. In addition to a type NT, NTT, or L license, a licensee shall possess, as applicable, the following when engaged in fishing guide activities: (1) A valid angler's license in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-604, Annot…

.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to control the importation, possession, propagation, transport, purchase, sale, or introduction into State waters of certain nonnative aquatic organisms that if accidentally or deliberately introduced into or further spread in the water…

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Aquaculture” means the rearing for commercial purposes of a species of fish or aquatic plant as listed in and described in COMAR 08.02.14 and may include the purchase, sal…

.03 Transgenic. A person may not introduce into State waters any transgenic aquatic organism.

.04 Classification of Nonnative Aquatic Organisms. A. A person may not import, transport, purchase, possess, propagate, sell, or release into State waters the following nonnative aquatic organisms: (1) Fish species: (a) Alabama bass (Micropterus hensalli); (b) Asian horseshoe cra…

.05 General. A. A person may not place or attempt to place upon or into State waters a watercraft or associated equipment with attached or contained aquatic plants, zebra mussels, or other prohibited species of nonnative organisms. B. Water taken from waters infested by prohibite…

.06 Snakehead Prohibitions. A. Except as authorized by 50 CFR Part 16, a person may not import, transport, or introduce into the State any live fish or viable eggs of snakehead fish of the Family Channidae, including but not limited to: (1) African snakehead (Parachanna obscura);…

.07 Felt-Soled Waders. An individual may not use footgear with external felt soles in State waters or within five feet of State waters.

.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to control the use of bait in State waters and implement Natural Resources Article, §4-702, Annotated Code of Maryland, which requires licensure of persons dealing in finfish or shellfish and provides an exception for those persons who …

.02 Bait. A. Bait. For the purpose of this subtitle, “bait” means an attractant to catch fish which includes: (1) The living or dead, whole body or part of body of an animal; or (2) A processed product from an animal or vegetative source. B. Bait Harvester Permit. (1) Prior to ha…

.03 Prohibited Species. A. The species listed in this regulation may not be used as bait in State waters. B. Prohibited species: (1) Largemouth bass; (2) Muskellunge; (3) Northern pike; (4) Pickerel; (5) Smallmouth bass; (6) Striped bass; (7) Striped bass hybrids; (8) Tiger muske…

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Harvest” means to take, kill, trap, gather, catch, or in any manner reduce any fish to personal possession or to attempt to engage in this conduct. (2) “Landing” means: (a…

.02 Recreational. A. Season. The recreational season is open year round. B. Size. (1) Except as provided in §B(2) of this regulation, the minimum size for yellow perch harvested from waters of the State is 9 inches total length. (2) There is no minimum size for yellow perch harve…

.03 Commercial. A. Season. (1) The commercial season for harvesting yellow perch is December 1 through March 31, inclusive. (2) Yellow perch legally harvested in another state may be sold or offered for sale in Maryland if accompanied by proof of origin which details the total we…

.04 General Requirements. A. Eggs. A person may not catch, attempt to catch, or possess yellow perch eggs from any State waters, except for a person who: (1) Is working in cooperation with a scientific investigation of the Department; (2) Is authorized by a scientific collection …

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Circle hook” means a nonoffset hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank. (2) “Eviscerate” means to remove the digestive organs of a shark, excluding th…

.02 Recreational Shark Fishery. A. Authorized Shark Species. A recreational angler may harvest only the following species: (1) Smoothhound (Mustelus canis); (2) Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae); (3) Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo); (4) Finetooth (Carcharhinus isodon); …

.03 Commercial Fishery. A. Shark Groups. (1) Prohibited Species. The species of shark in the prohibited group are: (a) Sand tiger (Carcharias taurus); (b) Bigeye sandtiger (Odontaspis noronhai); (c) Whale (Rhincodon typus); (d) Basking (Cetorhinus maximus); (e) White (Carcharodon…

.04 General. A. Filleting and Finning. (1) Sharks may not be filleted or cut into pieces at sea. (2) Finning is prohibited. B. Public Notice. (1) The Secretary may modify size limits, catch limits, gear provisions, shark species lists, and seasons for sharks in order to comply wi…

.01 Purpose. This chapter applies to shellfish aquaculture in waters of the State as described in Natural Resources Article, Title 4, Subtitle 11A, Annotated Code of Maryland.

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Aquaculture activities” means those activities which include the purchase, monitoring, bottom preparation, planting, sale, possession, harvest, production, breeding, trans…

.03 Commercial Lease Procedures. A. Aquaculture Activities on Submerged Land. (1) A person may not engage in aquaculture activities on submerged land in waters of the State, including the areas listed in Regulation .06 of this chapter, unless the land is leased or permitted for s…

.04 Shellfish Aquaculture Harvester Permit. A. Except for a demonstration lease holder, a lease holder or a lease transfer applicant shall submit an application, provided by the Department, and obtain a shellfish aquaculture harvester permit prior to engaging in aquaculture activ…

.05 Aquaculture Pilot Program. A. The Department may conduct pilot projects to demonstrate and evaluate new approaches to managing shellfish aquaculture in the State. B. The Department may select and designate certain persons named on a Shellfish Aquaculture Harvester Permit or S…

.06 Pre-Approved Leasing Areas in the Coastal Bays. A. The following areas are established as pre-approved leasing areas. B. A “pre-approved leasing area” means an area of the Atlantic coastal bays approved for leasing of submerged land by the Department. C. Areas Defined. (1) So…

.07 Demonstration Lease Procedures. A. Eligibility. The Department may only issue a demonstration lease to be used exclusively for educational, conservation, or ecological purposes to: (1) A public high school; (2) An incorporated college or university within the State; (3) A 4-H…

.08 Shellfish Nursery Permits. A. Application. (1) An individual shall submit an application for a shellfish nursery permit prior to engaging in shellfish nursery activities. (2) An application shall be submitted on a form provided by the Department. (3) The fee for a shellfish n…

.01 Gear Definitions. A. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Archery equipment” means a vertical bow or a crossbow. (2) “Bank pole” means a line and hook dangling into a river, stream, or lake that has the other end attached t…

.02 Recreational Gear — Nontidal Waters. A. Recreational Gear. (1) An individual may only use the gear specified in this regulation to catch fish for recreational purposes from nontidal waters. (2) An individual shall comply with all seasons, creel limits, size limits, and other …

.03 Recreational Gear — Tidal Waters. A. Recreational Gear. (1) Recreational gear for catching clams, crabs, and oysters is regulated elsewhere in Natural Resources Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.02 and is excluded from this regulation. (2) An individu…