Maryland’s 2026 striped bass regulations take effect April 1, bringing back catch-and-release fishing in April for the first time since 2019 while shifting the summer closure to the full month of August.
Maryland’s 2026 recreational striped bass season opens April 1 under a revised schedule that allows catch-and-release fishing during April and closes the fishery for the entire month of August.
The change marks a shift from the past two seasons, when striped bass targeting was closed from April 1 through mid-May. Maryland Department of Natural Resources officials said the updated framework is designed to simplify the rules while continuing long-term conservation efforts for the Chesapeake Bay stock.
Maryland 2026 Striped Bass Season Dates
- January 1–April 30: Catch-and-release only
- May 1–July 31: Harvest season
- August 1–31: Closed
- September 1–December 5: Harvest season
- December 6–31: Catch-and-release only
When harvest opens on May 1, anglers may keep one striped bass per person per day with a slot limit of 19 to 24 inches.
Spawning Rivers Remain Closed Through May 31
Maryland’s spawning rivers will remain closed to striped bass targeting from March 1 through May 31 to protect spawning fish.
These closures include the Choptank, Chester, Manokin, Nanticoke, Patuxent, Transquaking, and Wicomico rivers, along with the Upper Bay spawning area, including the Susquehanna Flats.
Anglers should consult Maryland DNR’s closure maps and boundary information before fishing.
Spring Gear Rules Extended Through May 15
Maryland also extended the same striped bass gear restrictions used in March through May 15 in an effort to reduce release mortality during the cooler spring catch-and-release period.
- No stinger hooks
- Trolling limited to six rods
- Barbless hooks required while trolling
During catch-and-release fishing, anglers are encouraged to minimize handling and keep fish in the water as much as possible to improve survival.
Why Maryland Shifted the Season
According to Maryland DNR, fisheries scientists determined that catch-and-release fishing in April, when water temperatures are cooler, would not increase striped bass mortality beyond the previous seasonal structure. The August closure was chosen because warm water conditions increase the likelihood of release mortality, even when fish are let go.
The change follows action by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board in 2025, which approved Addendum III to Amendment 7 and allowed Maryland to revise its Chesapeake Bay recreational season baseline.
Maryland officials said the revised season was developed over more than a year and approved after stakeholder outreach and public comment.
Ocean Fishery Remains Open Year-Round
Maryland’s ocean striped bass fishery remains open year-round with a 28- to 31-inch slot limit and a one-fish daily bag limit.
Editor’s note: Striped bass fishing on the main stem of the Potomac River is managed separately by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.
Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, March 31, 2026.