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Catfish regulations in Maryland

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Catfish
Is it a keeper? Catfish has no size limit today, with no daily limit.

Catfish size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
Chesapeake Bay & tidal tributariesOpen year-roundNo size limitNo daily limit

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season
Open year-round
Size
None
Limit
No limit
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries — as printed
“Catfish | None | Open Year Round | None”

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

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About the catfish

Ictaluridae

Family of fishes

The Ictaluridae, sometimes called ictalurids, are a family of catfish native to North America, where they are an important food source and sometimes fished for sport. The family includes about 51 species, some commonly known as bullheads, madtoms, channel catfish, and blue catfish.

Read more about Ictaluridae on Wikipedia →

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

All 92 Maryland species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Catfish in Maryland?

No size limit in Maryland state waters.

How many Catfish can you keep per day in Maryland?

No daily limit.

When is Catfish season in Maryland?

Open year-round.

Is my Catfish a keeper today?

Catfish has no size limit today, with no daily limit.