| Maryland Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401
https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/default.aspx
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MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BOATING
https://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/default.aspx
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Boat License - $50
Non-Resident Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Boat License - $100
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MARYLAND GUIDE TO CRABBING AND FISHING 2026
https://www.skipjackheritage.com/content/front/26MDFW_LR4.pdf
Day of Week Restrictions
No recreational crabbing is allowed on Wednesdays except:
When using crab pots from private property;
When using handlines or dip nets;
During a week when a state or federal holiday falls on a Wednesday or Thursday.
Daily Creel/Possession Limits
License
Daily Creel / Possession Limit
Male Hard Crabs, Male Peelers, Soft Crabs or Combination
Unlicensed Individual/1 DOZEN
From shore
From unlicensed boat
From waterfront crab pots
Licensed Individual/2 DOZEN
From shore
From unlicensed boat
From waterfront crab pots
Boat Limits
Unlicensed Boat
With 1 unlicensed individual/2 DOZEN male crabs
With 2 or more unlicensed individuals/4 DOZEN male crabs
With 1 or more licensees and any number of unlicensed individuals/April 1–June 30: 1 bushel or 6 dozen if using a container other than a bushel basket; July 1–Dec. 15
Licensed Boat
With any number of licensed or unlicensed individuals/April 1–June 30: 1 bushel or 6 dozen if using a container other than a bushel basket;
July 1–Dec. 15
Day of Week Restrictions
No recreational crabbing is allowed on Wednesdays except:
When using crab pots from private property;
When using handlines or dip nets;
During a week when a state or federal holiday falls on a Wednesday or Thursday.
Minimum Size Limits (measured from tip to tip of spikes)
Male hard crab:
April 1–July 14—5 inches.
July 15–Dec. 15—5¼ inches.
It is Illegal for a Recreational Crabber:
To sell crabs.
To possess an egg-bearing (sponge) crab or any female hard or peeler crab.
To set or fish a trotline, collapsible trap or crab net ring within 100 feet of another individual’s set gear.
To fish crab gear which belongs to another person.
To harvest crabs while SCUBA diving.
To use gear other than the gear listed in the table below.
Additional Crab Pot Rules
Crab pots must have two cull rings, one measuring at least 23⁄16 inches and one at least 25⁄16 inches located in the exterior side panel or the top panels of the pot.
Crab pots must have a turtle reduction device attached to each entrance or funnel in the lower chamber constructed of wire or plastic, rectangular in shape, not larger than 1¾ inches high by 4¾ inches long.
Annual registration required.
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Licensing and Registration Service Centers
Licensing and Registration Service Centers are open by appointment only. For details, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources licensing page or call 866-344-8889.
Annapolis Service Center
160 Harry S. Truman Pkwy.
Mailing address: P O Box 1869 Annapolis, MD 21404
410-260-3220 / 410-260-3281 (fax)
Bel Air Service Center
501 West MacPhail Rd. #2
Bel Air, MD 21014
410-836-4550 / 410-836-4562 (fax)
Centreville Service Center
120 Broadway Ave. Ste. 5
Centreville, MD 21617
410-819-4100 / 410-819-4110 (fax)
Cumberland Service Center
13300 Winchester Rd. SW
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-2134 / 301-777-5865 (fax)
Tuesday & Thursday
No mail-in applications
Frederick Service Center
1601-A Bowmans Farm Rd.
Frederick, MD 21701
240-236-9950 / 240-236-9953 (fax)
Salisbury Service Center
251 Tilghman Road, Room #2
Salisbury, MD 21804
Hours of Operation: M-F 8:30am - 4:30pm (excluding State holidays)
Tel: (410) 713-3840 or 1-866-344-8889 (Toll free within US & Canada)
Fax: (410) 713-3849
Payment method: Cash, Checks, Discover, Mastercard and Visa
Managed by: Monica O'Neill
Email: monica.oneill@maryland.gov
Solomons Service Center
14175 Solomons Island Rd. S
Mailing address: P O Box 1309
Solomons, MD 20688
410-535-3382 / 410-535-4737 (fax)
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Fishing Licenses and Fees
Get your fishing license today!
https://mdoutdoors.maryland.gov/login
Fishing licenses, stamps and registrations are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, unless otherwise specified. Prices and terms are subject to change.
Resident Nontidal Sport Fishing License - $32.00
Resident 7-Day Nontidal Sport Fishing License - $16
Resident Trout Stamp - $20
Resident Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License - $15
Resident 7-Day Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License - $6
Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License - $12
(65 years or older. License includes tidal and nontidal. License does not include trout stamp. It may be purchased at any time in the calendar year in which you attain the age of 65)
Non-Resident Nontidal Sport Fishing License - $55*
Non-Resident 7-Day Nontidal Sport Fishing License - $45*
Non-Resident 3-Day Nontidal Sport Fishing License - $35*
*Or the same fee charged to visiting Maryland anglers by a non-resident’s home state, whichever is higher, as outlined on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources fishing license fees page.
Non-Resident Trout Stamp - $30
Non-Resident Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License - $22.50
Non-Resident 7-Day Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License - $12
Passengers onboard licensed boats do not need a license. However, they must have a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration (see below). An individual Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License and a complimentary individual crabbing license are included for the person who purchases this license.
Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration - Free
Unless individually licensed, an annual registration is required for:
Passengers on boats with Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Boat Licenses.
Anglers fishing in designated License Free Fishing Areas.
Waterfront property owners and family fishing on private property.
Anglers in possession of a Virginia saltwater recreational fishing license or on a Virginia-licensed boat.
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Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations
https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/saltwater-fishing-regulations
Fish Maryland Minimum Sizes
https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/fish-maryland
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Recreational Crabbing Licenses & Crab Pot Registration
https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/recreational-crabbing-licenses-crab-pot-registration
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Attention **VETERANS**
Purple Heart Recipient Discount
Any Maryland veteran who has received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained defending our nation qualifies for a 50 percent discount on Maryland hunting and fishing licenses.
Complimentary Licenses
Complimentary fishing and oystering licenses are available to Maryland residents who are 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, and veterans who are determined to be unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Addition Exemptions
Contact Fishing and Boating Services or 1-877-620-8DNR (8367) for license exemption information concerning:
An individual who attends, resides, or is under treatment by a state approved mental health facility
A nonprofit organization that works with individuals with physical or mental disabilities
A governmental entity or nonprofit organization that works with individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are serving or have served in the armed forces; special needs individuals; or residents who are underserved with respect to fishing opportunities
The primary caregiver or the representative for any of the above categories |
