Maryland officials have given final approval to new recreational striped bass fishing regulations that will reshape when anglers can target the popular species in Chesapeake Bay waters.
The Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review approved the Department of Natural Resources’ proposed changes on Wednesday. The updated rules will take effect March 30, ten days after publication in the Maryland Register on March 20.
Under the revised regulations, April will reopen for catch-and-release striped bass fishing, while the entire month of August will be off-limits for targeting the fish. Officials say the timing shift protects striped bass during late summer heat when warmer water temperatures increase the likelihood of fish dying even after being released.
The 2026 recreational striped bass season in Chesapeake Bay will operate as follows:
- January 1–April 30: Catch and Release
- May 1–July 31: Harvest
- August 1–31: Closed
- September 1–December 5: Harvest
- December 6–31: Catch and Release
Kate Charbonneau, DNR’s Assistant Secretary of Aquatic Resources, explained the rationale behind the changes. “The new regulations simplify the recreational and charter boat seasons, making them easier to find and read,” Charbonneau said. “We are allowing for more access to recreational fishing opportunities without increasing mortality or total fish removed.”
The regulatory overhaul follows more than a year of deliberation and extensive public input, including review of thousands of comments from stakeholders. Striped bass fishing ranks among Maryland’s most popular recreational activities, with recreational fishing and boating contributing an estimated $701.5 million in economic value to the state during 2024, according to federal Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
The seasonal adjustment addresses a specific conservation concern. During hot August weather, young resident striped bass become more susceptible to mortality even when caught and released by anglers. Data from the most recent stock assessment shows that recreational dead discards—fish that die after being caught and returned to the water—accounted for 21% of all fishing-related striped bass deaths in the Bay.
Previous regulations prohibited all striped bass targeting from April 1 to May 15 and July 16 to July 31, along with additional closures in specific tributaries. The new approach consolidates the closure period into August while reopening April for catch-and-release activities when cooler water temperatures improve fish survival rates.
When harvest is permitted, anglers may keep one striped bass per person daily, measuring between 19 and 24 inches in length. During catch-and-release periods, officials urge anglers to use techniques that maximize fish survival, including minimal handling and reduced air exposure.
Ocean waters remain open year-round for striped bass fishing with different size limits—fish must measure between 28 and 31 inches, with a one-fish daily limit. Spawning rivers will continue their March 1 to May 31 closure to protect breeding fish.
The regulatory changes come amid ongoing concerns about striped bass population health. Despite increases in large coastal spawning fish in recent years, Maryland’s juvenile striped bass surveys have documented seven consecutive years of poor recruitment in state waters. Scientists continue investigating factors that may be affecting young striped bass survival.
Current adult rockfish populations remain large enough to produce strong juvenile year classes under favorable environmental conditions. However, fisheries experts warn that the impacts of diminished juvenile recruitment will likely become more pronounced as these smaller year classes reach maturity.
The August closure specifically targets protection of resident striped bass during their most vulnerable period. Hot late-summer conditions make younger resident fish particularly susceptible to mortality, and the closure aims to help these fish grow and eventually migrate from the Chesapeake Bay to join the spawning population.
Officials anticipate the seasonal shift will benefit both recreational anglers and related businesses by restoring spring fishing opportunities while moving the closure to August, when other species like red drum remain available for targeting.
During the August striped bass closure, DNR encourages anglers to pursue invasive species including blue catfish and Chesapeake Channa (snakehead). These invasive fish have no bag or size limits, and their removal benefits Bay ecosystem health.
All striped bass fishing requires a valid Maryland fishing license, available online through MD Outdoors, at DNR service centers, or through licensed retailers. License sales, along with tackle, boat, and marine fuel purchases, fund the department’s fish conservation efforts.
