1. A. A person may not use a gaff or similar device to remove striped bass from the water. A person who catches striped bass shall remove it from the water only by hand or dip net.

2. B. Possession of Striped Bass.

   1. (1) For purposes of this section, “cull” means that after a person has a striped bass in possession, the person discards or exchanges that striped bass to possess another striped bass.

   2. (2) During a recreational striped bass season:

      1. (a) Between 12 a.m. midnight and 5 a.m., a person may not possess striped bass while fishing on the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; and
      2. (b) An individual may not cull striped bass.

3. C. Filleting Striped Bass.

   1. (1) Except as provided in §C(2) of this regulation, a person may only land striped bass dockside as a whole fish.

   2. (2) A licensed charter boat captain or mate may fillet striped bass taken on a vessel displaying a current commercial charter boat decal under the following conditions:

      1. (a) A striped bass carcass may not be mutilated to the extent that the total length or species of fish cannot be determined;
      2. (b) An individual may not possess more than two fillets per legal fish on board a vessel;

      3. (c) All striped bass carcasses:

         1. (i) Shall be retained, unmixed with any other material, in a separate container readily available for inspection until the vessel has docked and all passengers from that trip have left the vessel and the dock area; and
         2. (ii) Are included in the possession limit; and
      4. (d) All striped bass carcasses from any previous trip shall be disposed of before any person begins to fish on a subsequent trip.

4. D. Except in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, or impoundments or as authorized by the Secretary, a person may not:

   1. (1) Conduct a fishing tournament or contest; or
   2. (2) Offer or give a reward or incentive to a recreational or fishing guide led angler for catching striped bass.
5. E. In addition to the requirements of this chapter, a person who fishes for striped bass shall be licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701 or 4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland.

6. F. Mycobacteriosis Tagging Study.

   1. (1) A person licensed by the Department to fish in Maryland waters may catch and possess all striped bass captured with an attached fluorescent green tag that shows the toll-free number 866-845-3379 and either VIMS Gloucester Pt. VA or MD DNR Oxford, provided that person possessing the tagged striped bass immediately:

      1. (a) Places the striped bass on ice or in a cool shaded area;
      2. (b) Calls the toll-free number on the green tag; and
      3. (c) Provides the striped bass to a representative of the Department of Natural Resources.

   2. (2) Striped bass tagged with the specified fluorescent green tag may be caught using legal fishing gear and possessed:

      1. (a) In excess of the daily catch limit;
      2. (b) Outside of the striped bass season;
      3. (c) Above or below the size limits; and
      4. (d) In those areas and times in which capture and possession are otherwise prohibited.

7. G. Restrictions for Charter Boats.

   1. (1) Except as provided in COMAR 08.02.13.06, during a chartered fishing trip, the captain or mate may not land or possess striped bass for personal consumption
   2. (2) A fishing guide licensee may not make more than two guided fishing trips daily to fish for striped bass.

8. H. Season Limitations.

   1. (1) In order to implement the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Striped Bass, the Secretary may modify or close a season or catch limit, set a monthly catch limit, modify a size limit, or require specific vessel trip information by issuing a public notice on the Fisheries Service website that shall state its effective hour and date at least 48 hours in advance of the effective hour and date.
   2. (2) The Secretary shall make a reasonable effort to disseminate a public notice issued under this section through various other media so that an affected person has reasonable opportunity to be informed.
   3. (3) A violation of the restrictions set by the Secretary in accordance with §H of this regulation is a violation of this regulation.

9. I. Seasonal Restrictions for the Recreational and Charter Boat Fishery.

   1. (1) Definition.

      1. (a) In this section, the following term has the meaning indicated.
      2. (b) Term Defined. “Target” means to catch, attempt to catch, harm, harass, or pursue.
   2. (2) Except as provided in Regulation .09 of this chapter and in §I(3) and (4) of this regulation, a person may not target striped bass or striped bass hybrids in the striped bass spawning rivers and areas listed in Regulation .03B of this chapter during the period March 1 through May 31.

   3. (3) During the period March 1 through March 31, inclusive, a person authorized in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland, to recreationally angle for finfish may hook striped bass and shall immediately release the striped bass unharmed to the water from which the striped bass was taken in the following areas:

      1. (a) Susquehanna Flats, upstream of a line from a point at or near Sandy Point, defined by Lat. 39°26.96' N and Long. 76°03.63' W; then running in an easterly direction to a point at or near Turkey Point, defined by Lat. 39°27.13' N and Long. 76°00.70' W and the Susquehanna River downstream from a line connecting a point at or near the Susquehanna State Park boat ramp in Lapidum, defined by Lat. 39°35.86' N and Long. 76°07.67' W; then running in a northeasterly direction to a point at or near Twin Rocks, defined by Lat. 39°36.17' N and Long. 76°07.56' W; then running in a northeasterly direction to a point at or near Tomes Wharf in Port Deposit, defined by Lat. 39°36.23' N and Long. 76°06.99' W; and
      2. (b) Northeast River.
   4. (4) During the period March 1 through May 31, a person authorized in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland, to recreationally angle for finfish may hook striped bass and shall immediately release the striped bass unharmed to the water from which the striped bass was taken in that area of the Chester River on the north side of Kent Narrows and bounded on the southern side by the southernmost edge of the old Route 50 bridge and, on the northern side, by a line beginning at a point (east tip of Ferry Point) defined by Lat. 38°58.820'N and Long. 76°14.627'W; then running approximately 92° True to a point (northwest tip of Long Point) defined by Lat. 38°58.798'N and Long. 76°13.825'W.
   5. (5) During the period August 1 through August 31, a person may not target striped bass or striped bass hybrids in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§4-206, 4-215, 4-2A-03, 4-2A-04, 4-2A-05, 4-2A-08.1, 4-701, 4-704,
4-704.1, 4-731, 4-732, 4-734, 4-745, and 4-745.2, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: September 3, 1990 (17:17 Md. R. 2077)

Regulations .01, .02, and .05—.13 amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 1994 (21:15 Md. R. 1298); emergency status extended and Regulations .04 and .10—.12 amended at 21:21 Md. R. 1810; emergency status extended at 22:6 Md. R. 470; emergency status expired April 27, 1995

Regulations .02, .04, .05, .07, .08, .10—.12, and .13 amended as an emergency provision effective September 15, 1993 (20:20 Md. R. 1554); emergency status expired March 31, 1994

Regulation .02B amended effective March 29, 1993 (20:6 Md. R. 580)

Regulations .03—.06, .08, and .10 amended and new Regulations .11—.13 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 30, 1991 (18:16 Md. R. 1806); adopted permanently effective November 11, 1991 (18:22 Md. R. 2395)

Regulations .04, .08, .10, and .12 amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 1992 (19:14 Md. R. 1272)

Regulations .04, .06, .08, and .10—.12 amended effective September 14, 1992 (19:18 Md. R. 1655)

Regulation .10B amended as an emergency provision effective November 23, 1992 (19:24 Md. R. 2123); emergency status expired February 28, 1993

Regulation .10C amended as an emergency provision effective January 1, 1992 (18:26 Md. R. 2826); emergency status expired February 28, 1992

Regulation .11 adopted as an emergency provision effective May 10, 1991 (18:8 Md. R. 860); emergency status expired May 28, 1991

Regulation .12-1 adopted effective April 13, 1992 (19:7 Md. R. 745)

Regulation .12-1 amended effective March 29, 1993 (20:6 Md. R. 580)

Regulation .12-1 amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 1994 (21:8 Md. R. 665); emergency status expired September 27, 1994

Regulation .13G adopted effective March 29, 1993 (20:6 Md. R. 580)

Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective April 28, 1995 (22:10 Md. R. 701)

Chapter revised effective September 25, 1995 (22:19 Md. R. 1472)

Regulation .01A amended effective March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .02B amended effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640); June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882); April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521); August 5, 2013 (40:15 Md. R. 1228); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2068); April 1, 2026 (53:6 Md. R. 286)

Regulation .03A amended effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .03B amended effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583); February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .03C amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 1999 (26:9 Md. R. 726); emergency status expired February 29, 2000

Regulation .03C amended effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640); April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583)

Regulation .03D adopted effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583)

Regulation .03D amended effective January 17, 2005 (32:1 Md. R. 27)

Regulation .03D amended as an emergency provision effective April 4, 2006 (33:9 Md. R. 794); emergency status expired August 4, 2006

Regulation .03D amended as an emergency provision effective April 9, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 823); emergency status expired October 6, 2007

Regulation .03D repealed effective March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .03D amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512); March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 489)

Regulation .03E adopted effective March 22, 2010 (37:6 Md. R. 476)

Regulation .03E amended as an emergency provision effective May 3, 2018 (45:11 Md. R. 577); amended permanently effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 664)

Regulation .03E repealed effective March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .04 amended effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882); July 21, 2003 (30:14 Md. R. 936); April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521); November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1857); July 23, 2012 (39:14 Md. R. 835); August 5, 2013 (40:15 Md. R. 1228); July 21, 2014 (41:14 Md. R. 798); August 3, 2015 (42:15 Md. R. 1015); March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 318) ; December 31, 2024 (51:8 Md. R. 366)

Regulation .04A amended as an emergency provision effective April 14, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 682); emergency status expired effective July 1, 2015

Regulation .04B amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulation .04B amended effective July 17, 2017 (44:14 Md. R. 655); August 26, 2019 (46:17 Md. R. 725)

Regulation .04E amended effective August 11, 2008 (35:16 Md. R. 1390); January 1, 2018 (44:26 Md. R. 1214)

Regulation .04F amended effective January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2068); July 17, 2017 (44:14 Md. R. 655)

Regulation .04G amended effective August 8, 2011 (38:16 Md. R. 944); July 17, 2017 (44:14 Md. R. 655); February 8, 2021 (48:3 Md. R. 93)

Regulation .05 amended effective April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .05A amended effective August 11, 2008 (35:16 Md. R. 1390)

Regulation .05A, D amended effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882); August 5, 2013 (40:15 Md. R. 1228); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2068) August 4, 2014 (41:15 Md. R. 889); December 31, 2024 (51:8 Md. R. 366)

Regulation .05D amended as an emergency provision effective December 12, 1997 (25:1 Md. R. 14); emergency status expired March 30, 1998

Regulation .05D amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulations .05D and .07A, G amended as an emergency provision effective November 11, 1996 (23:24 Md. R. 1675); emergency status expired March 31, 1997

Regulation .05D amended effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .05D amended as an emergency provision effective December 1, 2002 (30:1 Md. R. 20); emergency status expired February 28, 2003

Regulation .05D amended as an emergency provision effective December 1, 2003 (30:25 Md. R. 1842); emergency status expired December 31, 2003

Regulation .06 amended effective January 17, 2005 (32:1 Md. R. 27); November 28, 2011 (38:24 Md. R. 1500)

Regulation .06B repealed effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .06B amended effective April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .06C—F amended effective July 21, 2003 (30:14 Md. R. 936)

Regulations .07—.12 amended as an emergency provision effective April 25, 1996 (23:10 Md. R. 726); amended permanently effective September 9, 1996 (23:18 Md. R. 1316)

Regulation .07 amended as an emergency provision effective June 2, 1997 (24:13 Md. R. 927); emergency status extended at 25:2 Md. R. 72; emergency text changed at 25:8 Md. R. 594; emergency status expired March 30, 1998

Regulation .07 amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulation .07 amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512); April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521); August 5, 2013 (40:15 Md. R. 1228); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2068); July 21, 2014 (41:14 Md. R. 798); February 8, 2021 (48:3 Md. R. 93); December 31, 2024 (51:8 Md. R. 366)

Regulation .07A, D amended effective November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1857)

Regulation .07A, F amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 1999 (26:9 Md. R. 726); emergency status expired February 29, 2000

Regulation .07A, F amended effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640)

Regulation .07A amended as an emergency provision effective December 1, 2002 (30:1 Md. R. 20); emergency status expired February 28, 2003

Regulation .07A amended effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583); March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 318)

Regulation .07B amended effective July 21, 2003 (30:14 Md. R. 936); April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583); March 30, 2015 (42:6 Md. R. 511)

Regulation .07B, D, and F amended as an emergency provision effective January 22, 2002 (29:3 Md. R. 212)

Regulation .07B, D, F amended effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .07B, F amended effective August 31, 2015 (42:17 Md R. 1110)

Regulation .07C amended effective March 14, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 384); November 24, 2025 (52:23 Md. R. 1138)

Regulation .07D amended as an emergency provision effective December 1, 2002 (30:1 Md. R. 20); emergency status expired February 28, 2003

Regulation .07D amended as an emergency provision effective December 1, 2003 (30:25 Md. R. 1842); emergency status expired December 31, 2003

Regulation .07D amended effective November 28, 2011 (38:24 Md. R. 1500)

Regulation .07E amended effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429)

Regulation .07E, F amended effective January 1, 2018 (44:26 Md. R. 1214)

Regulation .07F amended effective April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609); March 14, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 384); March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 318)

Regulation .08 amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulation .08 amended effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583)

Regulation .08 repealed as an emergency provision effective February 9, 2024 (51:10 Md. R. 520); emergency status expired June 15, 2024

Regulation .08 repealed effective November 25, 2024 (51:23 Md. R. 1036)

Regulation .08A amended as an emergency provision effective March 21, 1997 (24:8 Md. R. 613); emergency status expired September 21, 1997

Regulation .08A amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2001 (28:8 Md. R. 758); amended permanently effective June 25, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1105)

Regulation .08A amended as an emergency provision effective March 29, 2002 (29:8 Md. R. 695); amended permanently effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .08A amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512); March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 489); March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .08A, B amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 1999 (26:9 Md. R. 726); emergency status expired February 29, 2000

Regulation .08A, B amended effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640)

Regulation .08B amended as an emergency provision effective April 4, 2006 (33:9 Md. R. 794); emergency status expired August 4, 2006

Regulation .08B amended as an emergency provision effective April 9, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 823); emergency status expired October 6, 2007

Regulation .08B amended as an emergency provision effective April 14, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 683); amended permanently effective July 6, 2015 (42:13 Md. R. 796)

Regulation .08B amended effective March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 318)

Regulation .08C amended and D, E repealed effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .08D amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 489)

Regulation .09 amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulation .09 repealed and new Regulation .09 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 31, 1999 (26:9 Md. R. 726); emergency status expired February 29, 2000

Regulation .09 repealed and new Regulation .09 adopted effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640)

Regulation .09 amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512); July 16, 2020 (47:14 Md. R. 675); April 1, 2026 (53:6 Md. R, 286)

Regulation .09A amended as an emergency provision effective March 29, 2002 (29:8 Md. R. 695); amended permanently effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .09A amended effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583); January 17, 2005 (32:1 Md. R. 27); November 25, 2024 (51:23 Md. R. 1036)

Regulation .09A amended as an emergency provision effective February 9, 2024 (51:10 Md. R. 520); emergency status expired June 15, 2024

Regulation .09A, B amended as an emergency provision effective March 21, 1997 (24:8 Md. R. 613); emergency status expired September 21, 1997

Regulation .09A, B amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 489)

Regulation .09A, B amended as an emergency provision effective April 14, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 683); amended permanently effective July 6, 2015 (42:13 Md. R. 796)

Regulation .09A, B amended as an emergency provision effective May 3, 2018 (45:11 Md. R. 577); amended permanently effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 664)

Regulation .09A, B amended effective March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .10A amended as an emergency provision effective June 2, 1997 (24:13 Md. R. 927); emergency status extended at 25:2 Md. R. 72; emergency status expired March 30, 1998

Regulation .10A amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulation .10 repealed and new Regulation .10 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 31, 1999 (26:9 Md. R. 726); emergency status expired February 29, 2000

Regulation .10 repealed and new Regulation .10 adopted effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640)

Regulation .10 amended effective July 16, 2020 (47:14 Md. R. 675)

Regulation .10 repealed effective April 1, 2026 (53:6 Md. R. 286

Regulation .10A amended as an emergency provision effective March 29, 2002 (29:8 Md. R. 695); amended permanently effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882)

Regulation .10A amended effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583); November 25, 2024 (51:23 Md. R. 1036)

Regulation .10C amended as an emergency provision effective April 14, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 683); amended permanently effective July 6, 2015 (42:13 Md. R. 796)

Regulation .10C amended as an emergency provision effective May 3, 2018 (45:11 Md. R. 577); amended permanently effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 664)

Regulation .10C amended effective March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .11A amended effective March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 318)

Regulation .12 amended as an emergency provision effective April 17, 1998 (25:9 Md. R. 674); amended permanently effective July 12, 1998 (25:14 Md. R. 1131)

Regulation .12 amended effective June 10, 2002 (29:11 Md. R. 882); January 17, 2005 (32:1 Md. R. 27)

Regulation .12B amended as an emergency provision effective October 16, 2006 (33:23 Md. R. 1793); emergency status expired December 1, 2006

Regulation .12C amended effective January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2068); November 25, 2024 (51:23 Md. R. 1036)

Regulation .12F adopted as an emergency provision effective May 11, 2007 (34:15 Md. R. 1345); emergency status expired November 7, 2007

Regulation .12F adopted effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .12G amended effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429); April 1, 2026 (53:6 Md. R, 286)

Regulation .12G, H amended effective July 16, 2020 (47:14 Md. R. 675)

Regulation .12H amended effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 583); February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512); March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 489); November 28, 2011 (38:24 Md. R. 1500)

Regulation .12H, I amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 1999 (26:9 Md. R. 726); emergency status expired February 29, 2000

Regulation .12H, I amended effective April 3, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 640); August 5, 2013 (40:15 Md. R. 1228)

Regulation .12I adopted effective March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 310)

Regulation .12I amended effective May 31, 2021 (48:11 Md. R. 428); November 25, 2024 (51:23 Md. R. 1036); April 1, 2026 (53:6 Md. R, 286)

Regulation .12I amended as an emergency provision effective February 9, 2024 (51:10 Md. R. 520); emergency status expired June 15, 2024