{"id":45192,"date":"2026-03-31T12:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-opens-april-catch-and-release-striped-bass-season-for-first-time-since-2019\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T12:37:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:37:10","slug":"maryland-opens-april-catch-and-release-striped-bass-season-for-first-time-since-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-opens-april-catch-and-release-striped-bass-season-for-first-time-since-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Opens April Catch-and-Release Striped Bass Season for First Time Since 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Anglers in Maryland waters can now target striped bass on a catch-and-release basis throughout April under new 2026 regulations that took effect this week. The change marks the first time since 2019 that April catch-and-release fishing has been permitted in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay.<\/p>

State officials restructured the fishing calendar to move the summer heat closure to cover all of August, replacing the previous split closure periods that had banned all striped bass targeting from April 1 through May 15.<\/p>

The revised schedule aims to streamline regulations while maintaining conservation goals and providing additional recreational fishing access, according to state fisheries managers.<\/p>

Maryland’s 2026 striped bass recreational season now operates on this timeline: catch-and-release fishing from January 1 through April 30, harvest season from May 1 through July 31, complete closure during August, harvest resuming September 1 through December 5, and catch-and-release fishing again from December 6 through December 31.<\/p>

Key spawning waterways will continue receiving protection through closures from March 1 to May 31. These restricted areas encompass the Choptank, Chester, Manokin, Nanticoke, Patuxent, Transquaking, and Wicomico rivers, plus the Upper Bay spawning grounds including Susquehanna Flats. Detailed maps and closure information are available on the DNR website.<\/p>

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission maintains separate management authority over striped bass fishing in the main stem Potomac River.<\/p>

When harvest becomes legal on May 1, fishermen may retain one striped bass daily per person, measuring between 19 and 24 inches in length.<\/p>

Wildlife officials urge catch-and-release participants to employ fish-friendly techniques including reduced handling time and minimal air exposure to improve survival rates.<\/p>

Gear restrictions currently applied in March will extend through May 15 to reduce fish mortality during April and early May fishing. These regulations ban stinger hooks, restrict trolling to six rods maximum, and mandate barbless hooks for trolling operations.<\/p>

East Coast striped bass management requires coordination among states following the Interstate Fishery Management Plan. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Board approved Addendum III to Amendment 7 in 2025, permitting Maryland to modify its Chesapeake Bay recreational season structure. Scientists designed the seasonal adjustments to avoid increasing overall striped bass mortality rates.<\/p>

Maryland’s previous two-year approach completely prohibited Bay striped bass targeting from April 1 to May 15 and July 16 to July 31, with additional tributary-specific closures.<\/p>

State resource managers determined that April catch-and-release fishing poses minimal risk to breeding populations due to cooler water temperatures. Officials selected August for the complete closure because elevated summer water temperatures increase the likelihood of accidental fish deaths during catch-and-release fishing. The modification underwent more than a year of review including extensive public input and evaluation of thousands of submitted comments.<\/p>

Striped bass fishing ranks among Maryland’s most sought-after recreational activities. Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis outdoor recreation data indicates that recreational fishing and boating contributed approximately $701.5 million in economic value to Maryland during 2024.<\/p>

Ocean-based recreational striped bass fishing operates year-round with different regulations, allowing harvest of one fish daily within the 28-inch to 31-inch size range.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maryland anglers can now practice catch-and-release striped bass fishing throughout April for the first time in seven years under new 2026 regulations. The state moved its summer closure to the entire month of August to protect fish during hot weather while allowing more spring fishing opportunities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":45191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[862,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774975030033.jpg?fit=300%2C400&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-bKU","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35209,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-revamps-striped-bass-season-rules-for-chesapeake-bay-anglers\/","url_meta":{"origin":45192,"position":0},"title":"Maryland Revamps Striped Bass Season Rules for Chesapeake Bay Anglers","author":"Admin","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Maryland officials have approved new recreational striped bass fishing regulations for the Chesapeake Bay that will allow catch-and-release fishing in April while closing all of August to protect fish during hot summer temperatures. The changes aim to simplify existing rules and provide more fishing opportunities while maintaining conservation efforts.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773326227878.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773326227878.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773326227878.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773326227878.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45911,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-anglers-enjoy-prime-spring-fishing-as-striped-bass-season-opens\/","url_meta":{"origin":45192,"position":1},"title":"Maryland Anglers Enjoy Prime Spring Fishing as Striped Bass Season Opens","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Maryland's catch-and-release striped bass season is now underway in Chesapeake Bay waters through April 30. State crews are actively stocking trout in freshwater locations while white perch spawning runs provide excellent fishing opportunities throughout the region.","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775077594978.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36778,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-research-shows-how-anglers-can-better-protect-striped-bass-during-hot-weather\/","url_meta":{"origin":45192,"position":2},"title":"New Research Shows How Anglers Can Better Protect Striped Bass During Hot Weather","author":"Admin","date":"March 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A University of Massachusetts study reveals that air exposure time is the biggest factor affecting striped bass survival after catch-and-release fishing. Maryland wildlife officials are urging anglers to limit handling time and avoid fishing when temperatures exceed 80 degrees in water or 95 degrees in air.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773470265246.jpg?fit=1024%2C731&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773470265246.jpg?fit=1024%2C731&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773470265246.jpg?fit=1024%2C731&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773470265246.jpg?fit=1024%2C731&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52657,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-waters-heat-up-as-spring-fishing-season-peaks-with-striped-bass-and-trout\/","url_meta":{"origin":45192,"position":3},"title":"Maryland Waters Heat Up as Spring Fishing Season Peaks with Striped Bass and Trout","author":"Admin","date":"April 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Water temperatures across Maryland's Chesapeake Bay are climbing into the 50s, triggering prime fishing conditions as striped bass move to spawning areas. State hatchery crews are actively stocking trout waters while anglers report excellent catch-and-release fishing for hickory shad and white perch.","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776286269756.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":59385,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-opens-striped-bass-harvest-season-friday-in-chesapeake-bay\/","url_meta":{"origin":45192,"position":4},"title":"Maryland Opens Striped Bass Harvest Season Friday in Chesapeake Bay","author":"Admin","date":"April 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Starting Friday, May 1st, anglers will be allowed to keep one striped bass per day measuring 19-24 inches in designated Chesapeake Bay waters. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources fishing report also details excellent blue catfish action and ongoing trout stockings across the region.","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777495135581.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":72812,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/maryland-fishing-conditions-improve-as-striped-bass-season-expands-june-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":45192,"position":5},"title":"Maryland Fishing Conditions Improve as Striped Bass Season Expands June 1","author":"Admin","date":"May 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Despite overcast Memorial Day weekend weather, Maryland anglers enjoyed excellent fishing conditions across the Chesapeake Bay. 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