Fishing Regulations In Maryland May Be Changing – Here’s How To Make Your Opinion Heard

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The public comment period is open for several regulation changes on fishing in Maryland.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the public comment period is now open for four of the nearly 30 proposed regulation changes to Maryland’s fishing rules.

The regulations open for public comment are:

Gear – Housekeeping: The department proposed to clarify that an individual may attempt to catch fish only when using legal fishing gear. The proposed action clarifies gear rules by adding the phrase “attempt to catch” to the appropriate sections of regulation.

Penalties – Update to Penalty Schedules: The department proposed to modify its commercial and recreational penalty schedules based on the recommendations of the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission/Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission Joint Penalty Workgroup.

Shellfish – General – Seafood Dealer Declaration Requirement: The department proposed to require harvesters who sell their own catch, who are also licensed by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), to declare their intent to deal in shellfish intended for human consumption.

Spanish Mackerel – Catch Limits and Public Notices: The department proposed to modify regulations for Spanish mackerel. Specifically, the regulations establish a commercial catch limit of 500 pounds per vessel per day or trip, whichever is longer, regardless of the number of licensees on board the vessel when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries announces a closure of the northern fishery; and update the public notice provision by changing the requirement to publish a notice in a daily newspaper of general circulation to posting the notice on the department’s website.

The public comment period for all four regulations ends at 11:59 p.m. July 27, 2026. Interested parties can submit their comments through the links next to each regulation.

Learn more about how to get involved in DNR policy online.

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