Black Drum regulations in Maryland

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A black drum is a keeper today if it measures at least 16 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Black Drum size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Atlantic Ocean & coastal bays	Open year-round	16 inch minimum	1 per person, boat limit 6
Chesapeake Bay & tidal tributaries	Open year-round	16 inch minimum	1 per person, boat limit 6

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 16 inches
Limit: Daily—1, Boat limit—6
Atlantic Ocean, coastal bays — as printed: “Black Drum | 16 inches | Open Year Round | Daily—1, Boat limit—6”
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries — as printed: “Black Drum | 16 inches | Open Year Round | Daily—1, Boat limit—6”

Source: Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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About the black drum

Species of fish

The black drum, also known as the drum or drummer, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of North and South America. Though most specimens are generally found in the 5-30 lb (2–14 kg) range, the largest black drum was just over 113 lb (51 kg), while in Argentina in 1971, a 48 kg black drum was captured. They are often black and/or gray in color with juvenile fish having distinctive dark stripes over a gray body. Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish. Black drum are capable of producing tones between 100 Hz and 500 Hz when performing mating calls.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Black Drum in Maryland?

16 inch minimum in Maryland state waters.

How many Black Drum can you keep per day in Maryland?

1 per person, boat limit 6.

When is Black Drum season in Maryland?

Open year-round.

Is my Black Drum a keeper today?

A black drum is a keeper today if it measures at least 16 inches, with a daily limit of 1.