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Fishing in Maryland
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Fishing regulations in Maryland
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Maryland can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Smallmouth bass as of June 4th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Min size
Measurement
Aggregate
Possession limit = 10 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in aggregate.
Exceptions:
St. Mary's Lake, Maryland Route 5, St. Mary's County:
- A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
- A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
- A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.
Little Seneca Lake, Montgomery County:
- A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
- A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
- A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.
Johnson Pond, Wicomico County:
- A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
- A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
- A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.
Leonard Mill Pond, Wicomico County:
- A person may possess five bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass in aggregate) per day;
- A person may not possess any largemouth bass or smallmouth bass from 11 inches up to but not including 15 inches total length;
- A person may possess one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass per day, 15 inches and over.
Lake Hashawha in Carroll County: Any fish caught must immediately be returned to the water where taken. You may not keep or possess any fish while fishing in these areas.
Upper John Owings Pond in Carroll County: Any fish caught must immediately be returned to the water where taken. You may not keep or possess any fish while fishing in these areas.
Waterworks Park in Anne Arundel County: Any fish caught must immediately be returned to the water where taken. You may not keep or possess any fish while fishing in these areas.
Potomac River from Dam No. 2 (Seneca Breaks) upstream to the mouth of the Monocacy River: All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas.
Monocacy River from the Potomac River upstream to Buckeystown Dam: All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas.
Patapsco River from Interstate 70 downstream to Maryland Route 144 (Frederick Road): All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas.
North Branch of the Potomac River, from the spillway in Cumberland upstream 25 miles to the U.S. Route 220 Bridge at Keyser, West Virginia: All largemouth bass or smallmouth bass must be immediately released in the water where it was caught. You may not possess largemouth bass or smallmouth bass while within the designated catch-and-return areas.
Youghiogheny River Lake:
From January 1 through the day before the first Saturday after April 11:
- minimum size = 15-inches total length;
- daily catch limit = 4 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.
From 12:01 a.m. the first Saturday after April 11 through 12:01 a.m. the first Saturday after June 11:
- season is closed (no harvest)
From the first Saturday after June 11 through October 31:
- minimum size = 12-inches total length;
- daily catch limit = 6 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.
From November 1 through December 31:
- minimum size = 15-inches total length;
- daily catch limit = 4 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.
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Regulations for
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