The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing to implement a shift in the season for recreational striped bass, or rockfish. The seasonal shift opens April to catch-and-release fishing and closes all of August to targeting striped bass. These adjustments are intended to simplify existing regulations, while allowing more recreational fishing opportunities and protecting striped bass during the hot, final weeks of the summer.
The Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review approved DNR’s proposed regulation changes for the 2026 striped bass fishing season. The new 2026 striped bass regulations are scheduled to be published in the Maryland Register as of March 20, becoming effective 10 days later. This timing will enable the return of April catch-and-release fishing for striped bass.
DNR is implementing the seasonal shift to enable anglers to catch-and-release striped bass in April when water temperatures are cooler, while closing the month of August for striped bass fishing when hot water temperatures make striped bass more likely to be accidentally killed during release.
The 2026 recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay will be:
| 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 |
“The new regulations simplify the recreational and charter boat seasons, making them easier to find and read,” said Kate Charbonneau, DNR’s Assistant Secretary of Aquatic Resources. “We are allowing for more access to recreational fishing opportunities without increasing mortality or total fish removed.” According to the DNR, the change has been under consideration for over a year and has been approved after extensive stakeholder engagement and consideration of thousands of public comments.
When striped bass harvest is permitted along the Chesapeake, anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum length of 19 inches and a maximum length of 24 inches. During catch-and-release season, officials encourage anglers to practice techniques that will help the fish survive, such as limiting the amount of handling and minimizing air exposure. Maryland’s ocean recreational fishery is open year-round with a 28- to 31-inch slot limit and a coastwide daily bag limit of one fish.
Spawning rivers will remain closed to targeting from March 1 to May 31 to protect spawning striped bass. Anglers can refer to DNR’s website for maps and additional fisheries information.
