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Maryland DNR Moves Forward with the Recreational Striped Bass Baseline Season Adjustment
After careful consideration of approximately 1,100 public comments submitted during regulatory scoping, the Department of Natural Resources is moving forward with the regulatory process to formally adopt the Recreational Striped Bass Baseline Season Adjustment.
The following information will guide you through the upcoming regulatory process and provide details on the season modifications that could affect all recreational anglers (Private and For-Hire/Charter) fishing for striped bass in 2026.
The Department has submitted the proposed regulatory change to the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR) to begin the administrative process. When the proposal has been published in the Maryland Register, the public will have a 30-day period to submit comments on the proposal. Details will be sent out through email and posted to the Fishing and Boating Service’s Changes to Fishing Regulations webpage. The Department anticipates a final change would be effective at some point in the spring and will update the public as dates become finalized.
Under the baseline adjustment, the new season, if approved, would be:
- January 1–April 30: Catch & Release
- May 1–July 31: Harvest
- August 1–31: Closed
- September 1–December 5: Harvest
- December 6–31: Catch & Release
The recreational striped bass fishery in Maryland is a significant economic driver that benefits communities throughout Maryland. The proposed adjustment to the current season:
- Provides more recreational access to fishing opportunities in the spring
- Shifts our conservation focus to the younger, more vulnerable resident population through an extended summer closure in August when temperatures have been high
- Maintains or potentially reduces overall fishing mortality on the striped bass resource in the Bay
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