SlotGaugeCheck a catchBrook Trout regulations in Maryland
Trout · Freshwater · 2026 season
Brook Trout size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nontidal waters east of Interstate 81 | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Savage River and tributaries above Savage River Reservoir dam | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Areas | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Savage River Trophy Trout areas (Rt. 135 bridge to reservoir dam) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 2 daily / 4 possession, all trout combined |
| Other nontidal waters west of I-81 | Open year-round | No size limit | 2 daily / 4 possession, all trout species combined |
Notes
- If you are anywhere east of I-81 (most of Maryland), every brook trout must go back - no exceptions.
- West of I-81 brook trout count toward the statewide 2-trout aggregate unless you are in a Put-and-Take or Savage River area, where they are also release-only.
- Youth-Only Trout Fishing Day (Mar 21, 2026): no brook trout allowed.
Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording
- Season
- Open Year Round (statewide trout rule) but possession prohibited east of I-81, in Savage River above the reservoir, and in all Put-and-Take areas
- Size
- None statewide; 12 inches in Savage River Trophy Trout areas
- Limit
- 2 trout in aggregate daily / 4 possession (statewide), 0 where closed
- All nontidal waters east of Interstate 81 — as printed
- “Catch-and-Return Trout Fishing Area—Waters East of Interstate 81 ... All nontidal waters east of Interstate 81. ... You may not possess brook trout in this area. You must immediately release any brook trout.”
Source: Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the brook trout
Species of fish
The brook trout is a species of freshwater fish in the char genus Salvelinus of the salmon family Salmonidae native to Eastern North America in the United States and Canada. Two ecological forms of brook trout have been recognized by the US Forest Service. One ecological form is long-lived potamodromous populations in Lake Superior known as coaster trout or coasters. The second ecological form is the short-living predaceous anadromous populations which are found in northern lakes and coastal rivers from Long Island to Hudson Bay, which are referred to as salters. In parts of its range, it is also known as the eastern brook trout, speckled trout, brook char, squaretail, brookie, or mud trout, among others. Adult coaster brook trout are capable of reaching sizes over 2 feet in length and weigh up to 6.8 kg (15 lb), whereas adult salters average between 6 and 15 inches in length and weigh between 0.5 and 2.3 kg. The brook trout is characterized by its distinctive olive-green body with yellow and blue-rimmed red spots, white and black edged orange fins, and dorsal vermiculation. The diet of the brook trout is restrictive to the season and location of the fish, but will typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic insects, fry, crustaceans, zooplankton, and worms.
Read more about Brook trout on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Brook Trout in Maryland?
No size limit in Maryland state waters.
How many Brook Trout can you keep per day in Maryland?
Possession prohibited - release all brook trout.
When is Brook Trout season in Maryland?
Open year-round.
Is my Brook Trout a keeper today?
Brook Trout is closed to harvest. Release it.