Sheepshead regulations in Maryland

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A sheepshead is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 4.

Sheepshead size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Atlantic Ocean & coastal bays	Open year-round	12 inch minimum	4 per person per day
Chesapeake Bay & tidal tributaries	Open year-round	12 inch minimum	4 per person per day

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 12 inches
Limit: Daily—4
Atlantic Ocean, coastal bays — as printed: “Sheepshead | 12 inches | Open Year Round | Daily—4”
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries — as printed: “Sheepshead | 12 inches | Open Year Round | Daily—4”

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

Check your sheepshead in seconds

Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's Maryland rules.

Open SlotGauge for Sheepshead

American Eel Black Drum Black Sea Bass Bluefish Cobia Atlantic Croaker Dolphin Grouper

About the sheepshead

List of common names used to refer to fish

Common names of fish can refer to a single species; to an entire group of species, such as a genus or family; or to multiple unrelated species or groups. Ambiguous common names are accompanied by their possible meanings. Scientific names for individual species and higher taxa are included in parentheses.

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 Sheepshead in Maryland?

12 inch minimum in Maryland state waters.

How many Sheepshead can you keep per day in Maryland?

4 per person per day.

When is Sheepshead season in Maryland?

Open year-round.

Is my Sheepshead a keeper today?

A sheepshead is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 4.