Chain Pickerel regulations in Maryland

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A chain pickerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 10.

Chain Pickerel size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Chesapeake Bay & tidal tributaries	May 1 – March 14	14 inch minimum	10 per person per day

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: May 1–March 14
Size: 14 inches
Limit: Daily—10
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries — as printed: “Chain Pickerel (Pike) | 14 inches | May 1–March 14 | Daily—10 | Cannot be used as bait.”

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

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About the chain pickerel

Species of freshwater fish

The chain pickerel, also known as Jackfish, Mud Pike, or Southern Pike is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family of order Esociformes. The chain pickerel and the American pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pike.

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 Chain Pickerel in Maryland?

14 inch minimum in Maryland state waters.

How many Chain Pickerel can you keep per day in Maryland?

10 per person per day.

When is Chain Pickerel season in Maryland?

May 1 – March 14.

Is my Chain Pickerel a keeper today?

A chain pickerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 10.